In rematch, John Jay golfers still best Foxes

Clockwise from top left, John Jay's Wally Ryder lines up a shot; the Wolves' James Strauss hits a shot out of the bunker; Calvin Metzger of Fox Lane blasts his way out of a sand trap; Jack Yaggi of the Foxes chips his way on to the green. JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS

By JIM MACLEAN

Two times in three days, it was a chance for John Jay and Fox Lane to square off against each other in home and away matches on the golf course.

After John Jay won on its home course at Waccabuc on Monday, the Wolves traveled to face Fox Lane again on Wednesday, April 29, on the Foxes home course at the Bedford Golf and Tennis Club.

“It’s always fun playing Fox Lane because all the kids know each other,” admitted John Jay coach Art Blank. “They have a great course, it’s competitive, the kids are very focused, but at the same time it’s just a lot of fun. It’s great to play them back to back like that.”

It was more fun for John Jay as once again the Wolves came out on top with a solid round top to bottom for all six golfers to pull away for a 208-219 victory.

John Jay senior Wally Ryder led the way for the Wolves as he finished with the low score for the match, coming in with a 37 on the nine-hole course.

Teammate James Strauss was close behind him in second as he shot a 39 on the Bedford course. Asher Barnett was third for the Wolves with a 42.

“Wally had a great round that day,” Blank said of Ryder. “Wally, James and Asher, those three have been consistently our top three scorers all year and should have a real good shot at making the cut for the sectional tournament. All three are very focused, great golfers who manage the course well, always thinking and doing a great job, so we’re solid on top.”

Rounding out the score in the top six for John Jay were Henry Millhon, Charlie Sanz and Marco Pace for the Wolves.

Fox Lane countered with Jack Yaggi, Hank Hearon, Calvin Metzger, Jack Frisbie, Sebastian Getz, and Dex Osherow as the top six for the Foxes. In addition to taking the loss against the rival Wolves, Fox Lane suffered a big blow as number one golfer Yaggi broke his wrist and will be out for the rest of the season and miss the Section 1 tournament in his senior year.

“It seems like the kids are always having a good time when we play them, and to me that’s the most important thing,” Fox Lane coach Fabian Videla said of the John Jay match. “We had a rough round, didn’t play to the best of our abilities that day, seems like they were enjoying themselves too much and we didn’t have anyone close to what they normally score.”

John Jay combined for the win with another consistent match, as the Wolves showcased the depth of the team, according to coach Blank.

“The rest of the team outside our top three have all been consistent within their scoring range, a lot of them are interchangeable,” Blank said of the depth on the John Jay roster. “Henry Millhon has really stepped up. I’m excited because our depth is also young, three sophomores that have all been solid.”

That team depth and consistent play has paid off so far, and Blank hopes that the Wolves can qualify to compete in the Section 1 team tournament at the end of the season. Only the top four teams earn the chance to compete for the team title.

“The kids are working hard and playing well and having a great season,” said Blank. “Most importantly, it’s just a fun group and they really get along well, they’re fun to be around. We have some big matches coming up this week, facing Yorktown and Greeley, both league matches, and we hope to finish strong.”

Tournament on tap

For individual golfers, the Section 1 Championship tournament will be start on May 18 with the top 60 golfers in the section based on scoring differentials earning a spot in the draw. The first round will be held on the 18th at Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, and the field is then cut in half with the top 30 advancing to the final round.