Caylin Wong guides Great Neck girls golf to Nassau team title while capturing individual championship
Caylin Wong of Great Neck hits out of the rough during the Nassau girls golf team and individual championships on the Bethpage Green course on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
It was a big day for Great Neck's girls golf team. Not only did they become five-time defending Nassau County team champions, but sophomore Caylin Wong won the individual championship shooting a two-day, 4-under par for a score of 138.
“I’m super proud of these girls,” Coach Matt Corrigan said. “This is a special team that likes to grind and has worked really hard this year. We’ve played a lot of golf to prepare for this and I’m glad we came out on the right side of it.”
Both of these accomplishments didn’t come easy. Great Neck (856) defeated Roslyn (858) by just two strokes. Friends Academy finished third with a 906.
“Coming in, we knew how strong of a team Roslyn is,” Corrigan said. “In the regular season, they had a two-shot better average than we did, and when we went against them head-to-head, we had one tight win and one tight loss. We knew this was going to be a battle, and I’m sure it will be again next year.”
Wong defeated Madison Chen of Manhasset, who won last year, by just one stroke. Friends Academy’s Ava Estrella came in third with a 149.
“I’m really excited and happy,” Wong said. “Not only was I able to win, but my team was able to win as well and defend our title.”
Wong led the way on day one with a first-round score of 66 on Bethpage Yellow.
“The adrenaline was just pushing me through,” Wong said. “I was hitting my shots and getting my putts in.”
On the second day at Bethpage Green, she shot 1-over par with a 72.
“I played really calmly throughout today,” Wong said. “I had a great time playing with Madison and Ava because they’re not only great competitors, but they’re my friends.”
Corrigan said it was just a matter of time until Wong secured the title. She’s been competing for Great Neck since she was a seventh-grader and has always been recognized as a top player in the county. Last season, she finished fifth in the county championship.
“She broke through big time this year,” Corrigan said. “It’s so nice to see her win because she’s friends with [some] previous winners. Now she gets to join the club.”
Wong will compete with her team and individually at the state championships at the Edison Club in Rexford on June 1.
“I’m super excited,” Wong said. “Especially because it’s not just going to be me, I’m also able to be there with my team.”
