By Kevin LaManna
High school-level golf is scored and played very differently from professional golf. The teams field six players each and play nine holes, not 18. The best five scores on the team are added together and the lowest scoring player’s card is dropped. This method allows what’s typically a solitary sport to transition into a team sport quite smoothly. And Rye High knows how to play the game.
Early last week, the Garnets traveled to Whipporwill Country Club to test their mettle against the Pelham Pelicans and defeated them soundly without home course advantage, by a score of 206-226. Rye’s two best scores were shot by Henry Bailey and Thomas Henderson. James McHugh, Andrew Gladston, and Jabrill Whiteside all tallied up at 42.
On April 4, the Garnets hosted Keio Academy at Rye Golf Club and won again, this time with a team score of 200. On the par-71 course, Rye racked up some pretty impressive numbers with Henry Bailey scoring a 37 and James McHugh with a 38. Senior Captain Gladston and Thomas Henderson both scored a 41 and Jabril Whiteside a 43.
Pat Romano, Rye’s golf coach for more than 20 years, said he is absolutely thrilled about this year’s team and has high expectations for them. But he noted that the hardest matches are yet to come, including Fox Lane, Byram Hills, and Blind Brook. “If they continue to play to their abilities we’ll be excellent this year and next,” he said.
