Rye Boys’ Golf head coach Pat Romano had to like what he saw when his team took on rivals Pelham and Harrison May 11, at Pelham Country Club. Coming off a 213-241 win over Byram Hills four days earlier, the Garnets played their finest match of the season.

By Mitch Silver

Rye Boys’ Golf head coach Pat Romano had to like what he saw when his team took on rivals Pelham and Harrison May 11, at Pelham Country Club. Coming off a 213-241 win over Byram Hills four days earlier, the Garnets played their finest match of the season. Led by sophomore James McHugh, who medaled with an even-par 35, and freshman Max Kenny, who was just a stroke behind, Rye collectively shot a 187, their lowest score in five years.

In high school golf, each squad consists of six golfers. Coming through for Rye were McHugh, Kenny, senior captain Jack Maresca (37), junior Will Gladstone (38), freshman Kyle Gardner (41), and junior Matt Shainberg (43). The low five scores are added to create the final team score. Pelham was well back at 218, a stroke better than Harrison.

Coach Romano couldn’t have been happier. “We have a chance to qualify all six kids for the Section 1 Open, which starts on Monday at Waccabuc. Sixty-something kids start before they cut the field in half for the second round at Scarsdale’s Fenway Club 48 hours later. The top nine then go to Cornell for the State Championships at the end of the month.”

In between Sectionals and States come the Conference Championships May 27 at Fenway, when the Garnets will seek revenge against number-one ranked Scarsdale. They fell by a 16-stroke margin on Scarsdale’s home course Tuesday when four of the Raiders shot in the 30s. Rye was led by Shainberg’s 37.

“We didn’t play our best golf and Scarsdale did what they normally do,” Romano said. “On paper they’re the strongest team in Westchester, but you never know. That’s why you ‘lace them up’. But playing them again will be a great experience for our young guys.”