Babylon's Reilly readies for next steps

Mark Reilly, 16, of Babylon is planning an ambitious schedule this season. In fact, he made sure he didn’t have an offseason, moving upward by heading south in late November. He finished second among 126 top teenage golfers at the George Holliday Memorial Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Reilly, whose father Mike is the pro at Peninsula Golf Club in Massapequa, shot 3-under par through three rounds. During his second round, he made three eagles, all on par 5s that were longer than 500 yards.

He was still 15 at the time and finished 11 strokes ahead of the nearest competitor in the 14-15 age group. Matt Lowe of Farmingdale also was among the leaders, finishing tied for 16th overall — best among golfers in the Class of 2014.

At the local U.S. Open qualifier last year, Reilly missed by one shot of being an alternate to the sectional round. His father said that the teen plans to enter again. Long Island’s U.S. Open qualifier will be May 11 at Glen Head Country Club.