Grossman leads E. Hampton to golf title
With victory close at hand East Hampton's Zach Grossman, left, and Ian Lynch congratulate each other, while Farmingdale's Kyle Brey sets up his putt on the 18th green. (June 1, 2011) Credit: David Pokress
Down by 14 shots after the first nine holes, East Hampton battled back Wednesday to capture the first Long Island boys golf championship in school history.
Zach Grossman shot a 5-over-par 77 at Bethpage Black for the Bonackers, who came into the match the undefeated Suffolk county champions and left with the Long Island title.
"We represent ourselves and our families and our school,'' said coach Claude Beudert, who has been with the program for 25 years. "Now we represent our county and Long Island.''
Besides Grossman, Ian Lynch, Cameron Yusko and Jim McMullan also won their individual matches. Farmingdale (12-1), which was the two-time defending Long Island champion, received match wins from Mike Zelazny and Kyle Garry.
Over on the Bethpage Red course, the Garden City Maroon girls team defeated Smithtown East by six strokes for the championship.
"It was nerve-racking, to say the least,'' Garden City coach Reid Sclafani said. The outcome hinged on the shots of the team's fifth scorers, when the Bulls (10-1), making their first Long Island championship appearance, almost tied it.
"Suffolk always puts out great teams, and Smithtown East is no exception,'' Sclafani said. "I'm sure they're going to be back there.''
Alex Michielini shot an 86 for the Trojans (11-0), who won their third Long Island championship in four years and their fourth title in program history.
