Boys Golf: Bears Edge Horsemen

League powerhouse (10-1) managed to edge Sleepy Hollow (5-3), 223-228, at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club Wednesday, despite unfavorable weather.

“The scores were a little high today considering the strong winds,” Briarcliff Coach Mike Perricone said. “The playing conditions were tough today, but [I] don’t think the course got our best effort today." 

Will Simons finished a top the Bear’s leader board at 42. Ray Schuttenberg came in second at 43, followed by Anatole Sachs at 44 (for the third position). Andrew Rubich and Robbie Nero tied for fourth place at 47, with Sam Lonsdale finishing a close fifth at 49, according to Perricone.

“I have high expectations from this group of golfers,” Perricone said of his junior and senior-ladened golfers who host Pleasantville and North Salem at 4 p.m. Thursday–the first of the Bears' many matches remaining over the next two weeks.

Weather was also a burden for the hosts, but strong finishes helped the Horsemen prepare for the rest of the season.

“In spite of the warm, sunny conditions, the wind gusts made scoring tough on the Sleepy Hollow Country Club front nine,” Sleepy Hollow Golf Coach Jason Choi said in an e-mail.

Choi’s senior co-captain Jimmy Bender had the lower round on the day at 39.

“His monstrous drives impressed his competitors and even the opposing coaches," said Choi.

Bender’s younger brother, Jack, who “made a remarkable up-and-down on the final hole to shoot a 41...” followed behind his elder sibling with "the second lowest round of the day."

Choi also noted the nice play of senior co-captain TJ Kent, who “chipped in from the greenside bunker on (hole) nine to shoot a 48” for a third place finish.

Jack Schnog came in fourth on the country club’s lower course with a 44.

Sleepy’s two new golfers in Lucan Swenson and Kieran Brennan held the last two spots, but “continued to improve” with scores of 56 and 57 to round out the fifth and sixth spots.

Sleepy Hollow split the day against Hastings 228-249, creating good momentum heading into Monday’s match with Rye Neck at Metropolis.