Lowe, Farmingdale win golf titles
Farmingdale's Matt Lowe hits a drive during the Nassau boys golf championships at Bethpage Red. (May 24, 2011) Credit: Bruce Adler
In what he called a "battle," Farmingdale golfer Matt Lowe needed two extra holes Tuesday to secure a repeat.
The freshman made par on the second playoff hole to outlast Manhasset's Ben Linsky, who made double bogey, to win his second straight Nassau individual title at Bethpage Red.
Both shot a 149 aggregate score over the two-day tournament.
"I feel spectacular," Lowe said. "I just get this overwhelming sensation, and it's magnificent."
Lowe held a two-shot lead over playing partner Linsky with two holes to play.
But Linsky made a 35-footer for birdie on 17 to pull within a stroke as Lowe saved par.
On the 463-yard, par-4 18th, Lowe hooked his drive into the rough before hitting an 8-iron into the bunker. Lowe went up-and-down from the sand for par, and Linsky hit a 10-footer for birdie to force the playoff.
But on the second playoff hole, Linsky's drive drifted into the trees, giving Lowe the opening he needed.
Farmingdale also won its third straight Nassau team title (781) by defeating runner-up Cold Spring Harbor (816).
Kyle Brey (150), Michael Zelazny (156), Mike Saccone (166), Alix Lowe (170) and Kyle Gary (180) rounded out the Dalers' lineup. "This year, we lost seniors, and we just replaced them and kept on going," Dalers coach John Berardi said.
Farmingdale advances to play East Hampton in the Long Island team championship next Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Bethpage Black.
Syosset's Matt Csillag (150) led the individuals who qualified for the state tournament, beginning June 5 at Cornell University.
