By Mitch Silver
Eighth grader Matt Yamin not only competed on Rye Country Day’s Varsity Golf team this spring, but also did the unthinkable. The youngster averaged 38 for nine holes on the season to lead a team good enough to come in second in the Fairchester championships and second again in the New York State private schools tourney. And then he won the whole individual NYSAIS shebang.
Yamin posted a 75 while playing for most of the day in 30-mph winds and driving rain to tie three other golfers. On the first playoff hole, he shot a birdie to nab the trophy. For his efforts, Yamin will be playing in the State Federation Championships, which brings together New York’s best public, private, and parochial high school golfers, this weekend on the famous (and treacherous) Bethpage Black Course. And he’ll have sophomore teammate Charles Jolly, who’ll be playing in his second straight Federation tournament, right alongside him.
Their second-year Head Coach Leif Halverson is understandably excited. “We had a great season. Our varsity put up an 11-3-1 record. In addition to Matt’s accomplishments, our captains, Nick Jindal and Eddie Massaro, earned Honorable Mention honors for their play in the FAA Championship. Eddie will be graduating, but we’ll have the rest of our top six back next year, including freshman Jackson Gaynor and Charles Jolly’s brother, Sebastian, another talented eighth grader. The future looks good for the Rye Country Day Boys’ Golf team.”
