Golf Takes Second at Skyline Championship, Bleck Wins Individual Title
Bethpage, N.Y. - The Golden Eagles men's golf team rounded out their two-day Skyline Conference Championship tournament on Monday afternoon placing second behind seven-time consecutive champions Farmingdale State, in a promising finish to the season at the Bethpage State Park - Red Course.
There was plenty to celebrate at the conclusion of the tournament as St. Joseph's College was well represented with a plethora of awards. Christian Bleck (St. James, N.Y. / Chaminade) was honored with the Player of the Year award as the Skyline Conference Individual Champion, as well as making First Team All-Conference. Bleck won the individual crown by finishing two strokes ahead of teammate Robert Bray (Shoreham, N.Y. / Shoreham-Wading River). The junior finished with a combined score of 148, shooting for 73 on the first day and 75 on the second.
The accolades for the Golden Eagles did not stop there. Bray finished the two-day championship tied for second place, shooting 77 in the first day before finishing strong with a score of 73 in the second. His total of 150 was just two strokes behind champion Bleck. Bray not only came in second in this championship, he was also pinned with St. Joseph's second First Team All-Conference award.
Filing in behind Bleck and Bray, John Melandro (Shoreham, N.Y. / Shoreham-Wading River) finished for 15th place. Melandro finished the first day strong with a score of 75 but he could not carry his momentum into the second day and fight through the poor playing conditions. Zac Campanelli (Bayport, N.Y. / Bayport-Blue Point) followed, finishing 20th overall and with a total score of 169. Team captain Sean Sanders (Shoreham, N.Y. / Shoreham-Wading River), and fellow senior Ken Ortiz (Centereach, N.Y. / Centereach) were not able to finish the tournament, but they both posted respectable scores in the rounds that they did show in.
Moving forward, Coach Cangero has to be excited to get the next season underway as he will have the reigning Skyline Conference Champion and fellow First Team All-Conference players returning next season. The Golden Eagles' total score of 618 was one of the best all season.
"All applause go out to the men who took it to the course this season, as we tip our hats to the seniors who will be leaving and turn to welcome the freshmen who will be stepping in their place next year," said Coach Cangero, who was named the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year.
Cangero and his players certainly had an award-worthy season. They will return to the course this spring to complete their schedule.
The Farmingdale Rams followed their opening round of 305 with another 305 for a two-day total of 610. Seeking its first league crown since 2007, St. Joseph's finished with a two-day total of 618. SJC and FSC were tied after Sunday's opening round. Mount Saint Mary College (641) finished third and The Sage Colleges (644) took fourth place.
Farmingdale State was led by senior Matt Pollock who posted rounds of 76 and 74 for a two-day total of 150 and a second place finish. Junior Scott Sessions finished in fourth place after shooting a final round 77 for a total of 151. Sophomore Andrew Goldman fired back-to-back 77's and finished in a tie for seventh place, while junior Matt Adwar 78-77-155) finished ninth.
Farmingdale State receives the conference's automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Division III Championship at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C.
FINAL TEAM RESULTS
1. Farmingdale State (610)
2. St. Joseph's-L.I. (618)
3. Mount Saint Mary (641)
4. Sage (644)
5. Purchase (648)
6. Yeshiva (695)
7. Old Westbury (749)
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Christian Bleck - St. Joseph's-L.I. (Player of the Year)
Robbie Bray - St. Joseph's-L.I.
Matt Pollock - Farmingdale State
Scott Sessions - Farmingdale State
Zach Sullivan - Sage
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Dylan Legg - Mount Saint Mary (Rookie of the Year)
Andrew Goldman - Farmingdale State
Rory Mazur - Purchase
Matt Adwar - Farmingdale State
Alex Harcher - Mount Saint Mary
Anthony Siguil - Purchase
Coach of the Year: George Cangero, St. Joseph's-L.I.
