By Rich Chrampanis
The Holmdel boys golf team lost head-to-head match-ups with Wall twice in the regular season, then finished third in both the Monmouth County and Shore Conference tournaments trailing the Crimson Knights once again.
But on Monday at Twisted Dune Golf Club, the Hornets put together their best effort of the year to claim a sectional title.
Junior Matthew Merkel led Holmdel, shooting a 2-under-par 70 to finish one shot off the individual championship. Hopewell Valley’s Megan Meng grabbed the top spot with a 3-under-par 69 and is believed to be the first girl to win a boys sectional golf championship in the NJSIAA’s 84 years of high school golf.
Ryan Quigley’s 73 and Patrick Sharpe’s 75 helped the Hornets to their team victory.
Rumson-Fair Haven finished third in the section with Will Ross leading the Bulldogs with a 1-over-par 73.
Holmdel will compete for the Group 2 team state championship Monday at Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater.
In the Non-Public “A” and “B” South sectional finals at Mountain View Golf Club in Ewing, Christian Brothers Academy and Ranney School swept both the team and individual titles. Jack Puma and Evan Sorensen finished 1-2 for the Colts, scoring 70 and 71. RBC’s Andrew Torregrossa finished third at 72 with Tyler Koch of St. John Vianney placing fourth with a 74. CBA comfortably won the team title by 18 shots over Pingry.
Ranney won the Non-Public “B” South title by 16 shots over Princeton Day with sophomore Gavin Karlin shooting 75 to win the individual title. The Panthers and Colts will play for team state titles Monday at Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater.
Central Jersey Group 2 Team Results
Holmdel 300
Wall 306
Rumson-Fair Haven 312
Central Jersey Group 2 Individual Results
Megan Meng, Hopewell Valley 69
Matthew Merkel, Holmdel 70
Ryan Quigley, Holmdel 73
Will Ross, Rumson-Fair Haven 73
Adam Zaremba, South Plainfield 73
Dylan Mattessich, Manasquan 74
Patrick Sharpe, Holmdel 75
Non-Public “A” South Team Results
Christian Brothers Academy 299
Pingry 317
St. Augustine 319
Red Bank Catholic 340
Non-Public “A” South Individual Results
Jack Puma, CBA 70
Evan Sorensen, CBA 71
Andrew Torregrossa, Red Bank Catholic 72
Tyler Koch, St. John Vianney 74
Non-Public “B” South Team Results
Ranney 311
Princeton Day 327
Saint Rose 339
Non-Public “B” South Individual Results
Gavin Carlin, Ranney 75
John Welch, Ranney 76
Sam Landers, Ranney 76
The article originally appeared in the May 9 – 15, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
