Twenty-four high school golfers from across New York state met on Sunday, June 9th at fabled Bethpage State Park’s Black course. Each had qualified as a member of one of four competitive divisions, hoping to emerge as a statewide golf champion. Despite nine inches of rain on Friday night and the cancellation of Saturday’s practice rounds, the Black was open for business on Sunday and tee shots flew into the air.
The State Fed, as it is known, brings together six golfers from NYSPHSAA (Public schools), CHSAA (Catholic schools), AIS (Independent schools) and PSAL (New York City Public schools.) The low five of six scores count toward the team total (won this year by the NYSPHSAA) and the low seven individual scores receive awards. All contestants received a certificate of competition and commemorative hats from Nike Golf.
Western New York/Buffalo had three representatives in the State Fed of 2013. Nolan Ditcher of Randolph high school survived the NYSPHSAA 36-hole qualifier on June 2-3 at Cornell University’s golf course. Gregory Sibick and Jake Ziegler of Nichols School advanced out of the CHSAA 18-hole event on May 31 at James Baird State Park. None of the three had played the Black course before and, with the cancellation of the practice round, had to rely on course maps and local knowledge (generously offered by the regulars) for preparation.
When the last putts had been holed, caps removed and hands shaken, Derek Bard from New Hartford had edged defending champion Cameron Young of Fordham Prep by two strokes, 75-77. For the local contingent, Sibick finished 10th, Ditcher came 14th and Ziegler tied for 16th. For complete results, Click Here
Left To Right: Ziegler, Sibick, Ditcher
