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BRIDGEWATER – St. Joseph placed a resounding exclamation point on arguably the greatest season in the history of New Jersey high school boys’ golf.
St. Joseph swept to an unbeaten season by capturing the Tournament of Champions title by a cool 15 strokes Monday, May 12 at sunny Raritan Valley Country Club.
The Green Knights quartet shot 2-under 286 to finish 15 shots ahead of Delbarton, and they won all nine of their 18-hole tournaments this season, as well as every nine-hole match.
“It’s a crazy season,” said Liam Moloney, St. Joseph’s lone senior. “This was our goal from the beginning. We just wanted to win everything we played in.”
St. Joseph freshman Rory Asselta solidified his standing as New Jersey’s Player of the Year. He won the individual crown with an 8-under 64 that was two shots better than Moloney.
Asselta has won six individual titles. He has a chance to make it seven when he heads to the final round of the 36-hole Bergen County Individual Championship on Thursday, May 15 at Haworth CC with a three-stroke lead. Asselta is bidding to help St. Joseph produce every individual titlist in all nine tournaments.
In addition to St. Joseph winning TOC team and individual titles, five team and five player crowns were awarded. Here’s a look those Group titles.
Non-Public
St. Joseph’s 2-under 286 won Non-Public and is two shots off the record of 4-under 284 set by another North Jersey juggernaut, Bergen Catholic of 2016. Asselta’s older brother, Michael, shot 78, as did sophomore CJ Antifonario.
To put St. Joseph’s accomplishment in perspective, Bergen Catholic’s dominant 2016 team was 39-0, won league, sectional, state and TOC titles. But the Crusaders did not win the Bergen County crown, and they did not win every team tournament.
“Just the whole team, top to bottom, it’s special,” St. Joseph coach Kevin Rooney said. “We’re witnessing something special – I don’t know the history of [New Jersey] golf – but since I’ve been coaching, it’s the best team I’ve seen.”
Rory Asselta had eight birdies and no bogeys, and his 64 is one shot behind the record 63 set in 2021 by Westfield’s Colin Summers. Asselta had six consecutive birdies, beginning with No. 4. He had short birdie putts on Nos. 5 and 6 and made a 30-footer on the eighth and an 8-footer on the ninth.
“I hit a few shots close, and that started to get me going,” Rory Asselta said. “And I drained a few putts outside 10 feet.”
Team scores
Team scores
St. Joseph 286, Delbarton 301, Christian Brothers Academy 305, St. Augustine 349.
Individuals
1.Rory Asselta, St. Joseph, 64; 2. Liam Moloney, St. Joseph 66; 3. Jack Stamberger, Christian Brothers Academy, 68; 4. Rayhao Feng, Pingry, 69; 5. Jake Kurtzman, Delbarton, 73.
Group 4
Westfield won Group 4 with a 317 that was five shots better than Cherry Hill East. Westfield freshman Chase Simms led a balanced attack with 76 and another freshman, Henry Blake, had 78.
Washington Township senior Luke Carino won the individual crown with 71, and Kingsway junior Christopher Parrish shot 72 and was runner-up via match of cards.
Team scores
Westfield 317, Cherry Hill East 322, Marlboro 325, Watchung Hills 344
Individuals
1.Luke Carino, Washington Township, 71; 2. Christopher Parrish, Kingsway, 72; 3. Ryan Sun, Marlboro, 72; 4. Liam Pasternak, Morristown, 74; 5. Vertti Hamalainen, Montclair 74.
Group 3
Chatham won Group 3 with 302, and perennial contender Ramapo was runner-up with 307. Chatham sophomore Roger Rice led with a 70 that won him the individual title, and teammate Will Desmarais was runner-up with 72.
Team scores
Chatham 302, Ramapo 307, Shawnee 312, Mainland 317
Individuals
1.Roger Rice, Chatham, 70; 2. Will Desmarais, Chatham, 72; 3. Jackson Chudnoff, Ramapo, 74; 4. Harry Cohen, Ramapo, 74; 5. Connor Breen, Shawnee, 75
Group 2
In the closest battle, West Morris Mendham won Group 2 with a 311 that was one stroke better than Demarest. Senior Anders Farley led West Morris Mendham with a 70 to claim the individual crown, and senior teammate Liam Brandt was runner-up with 72.
Team scores
West Morris Mendham 311, Demarest 312, Point Pleasant Borough 322, Cinnaminson 325
Individuals
1.Anders Farley, West Morris Mendham, 70; 2. Liam Brandt, West Morris Mendham, 72; 3. Ben Martorana, Point Pleasant Borough, 74; 4. Ben Aronson, Demaret, 75; 5. Jake Aronson, Demarest, 76.
Group 1
Madison captured Group 1 with 306, and Bernards was runner-up with 319. Madison senior Alex Patel was individual titlist with 71, and junior Teo Bengtsson was fifth overall with 75.
Team scores
Madison 306, Bernards 319, Mountain Lakes 324, Ramsey 327
Individuals
1.Alex Patel, Madison, 71; 2. Derek Czepiel, Pequannock, 73; 3. Luke Krombholz, Metuchen, 74; 4. Ryan Powers, Mountain Lakes, 75; 5. Teo Bengtsson, Madison, 75.
Tournament of Champions
At Raritan Valley CC, Bridgewater
By: 72; Yardage: 6.194
Team scores
1.St. Joseph 286
2. DELTBARON 301
3. Chatham 302
4. Christian Brothers Academy 305
5. Madison 306
6. Ramapo 307
7. West Morris Mendham 311
8. Demarest 312
8. Shawnee 312
10. Westfield 317
10. Mainland 317
12. Bernards 319
13. Cherry Hill East 322
13. Point Pleasant 322
15. Mountain Lakes 324
16. Marlboro 325
16. Cinnaminson 325
18. Ramsey 327
19. Watchung Hills 344
20. St. Augustine Prep 349
Individuals
(Top 10 earn medals)
1.Rory Asselta, St. Joseph 64
2. Liam Moloney, St. Joseph 66
3. Jack Stamberger, Christian Brothers Academy 68
4. Rayhao Feng, Pingry 69
5. Anders Farley, West Morris Mendham 70
6. Roger Rice, Chatham 70
7. Luke Canino, Washington Township 71
8. Alex Patel, Madison 71
9. Liam Brandt West Moris Mentam 72
10. Christopher Parrish, Kingsway 72
11. Ryan Sun, Marlboro 72
11. Will Desmarais, Chatham 72
Note: Ties broken via match of cards
