Boytano sweeps NJJGC’s two 36-hole tourneys
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY JEFFGRANIT staff Middletown’s Michael Boytano attempts a putt on the third hole during a recent New Jersey Junior Golf Competition event at Battleground Country Club in Manalapan.

Middletown’s Michael Boytano can do no wrong on the New Jersey Junior Golf Competition’s 2004 tour.

The sophomore to-be at Christian Brothers Academy has collected three straight victories in the boys 14-15-year old division, which includes a sweep of the circuit’s two 36-hole tournaments.

The first of the two-day tournaments used the Colts Neck Golf Club and Battleground Country Club links in Manalapan on July 14 and 15.

Boytano carded a 75 on the opening day at Colts Neck to take a one-stroke lead over Old Bridge’s Chiassek (76). He extended his margin to nine-strokes with an 80 at Battleground for a 36-hole score of 155. Wall’s Alex Campbell was second at 164 (79-85) and Piassek, third, 166 (76-90).

Ocean’s Craig Bonney had the low 36-hole score of 154 in winning the boys 16-17-year-old division. He started off with a 73 at Colts Neck and followed that with an 81 at Battleground. Allendale’s Brian Pannel was second, 157, after carding the best round at Battleground (76) after an opening 81. Manalapan High School star Matt Quigley, was third, 158 (78-80).

Dylan Lam of Kenilworth won the boys 12-13 division in a playoff after he and Manalapan’s Patrick DiLeo and Lake Mary Florida’s Ryan Dailey had each carded 170s. Lam shot an 83 on opening day to lead DiLeo by one with Dailey far back at 92. However, Dailey posted a 78 at Battleground to tie Lam (87) and DiLeo (86). Lam won the championship on the first hole of the playoff with a par. DiLeo claimed second.

The boys 9-11 division was contested over 18 holes and Bernardsville’s Austin Zurlo had a steady round of 37-37-74 to win by three strokes. A 34 on the back nine propelled Monroe’s Kevin Lee to second (77), while Max Barousse of Chester was third, 41-38-79.

Anne O’Leary of Short Hills won the girls division with a 157 (72-85). This competition was limited to 33 holes because of rain and thunderstorms that shorted the second day to 15 holes. Jacqueline Stean of Red Bank (72-88) and Christian Hall (70-90), tied at 160 with Stean placing second on a match of cards.

Boytano made it three-for-three on July 19 and 20 when the NJJGC tour stopped at the Peddie School Course in Hightstown and Knob Hill Golf and Country Club, Manalapan.

The Middletown golfer opened with a 77 and backed it up with a 76 for a two-day 153 total that was seven strokes better than runner-up Matt Dubrowski of Bergenfield, who shot 86-74-160. Chris Piumelli of Mountain Lakes was third, 92-77-169.

Boytano had the low score of the tournament.

Scotch Plains’ Chris Meehan won the boys 16-17 division behind a pair of 80s. His 160 topped Monroe’s Bryan Bailey, 79-84-163, and Princeton’s Kyle Rasavage, 78-86-164.

Manalapan’s DiLeo rebounded from his playoff loss the previous week to win his second tournament of the year. A 101 at Peddie had him tied for first with Colts Neck’s Peter Inglese. However, a second day 86 at Knob Hill led to a runaway triumph at 187. Jonathan Jenks finished second, 102-91-193, with Inglese third, with 101-99-200.

Barousse, third at Battleground, won the boys 9-11 this time with a 38-37-75. Zurlo, first the previous week, took second this time with a 79 (42-37) while Max Greyserman of Short Hills was third, 45-42-87.

Joanna Coe from Mays Landing won the girls 12-17 division with sparkling rounds of 83-76 for 159. Hall was runner-up with 87-79-166 while O’Leary was pushed back to third this time after rounds of 92-81 led to a 173.

The girls 9-11 division, like the boys, was played over 18 holes. West Windsor’s Viktoria Lager won with a 56-46-102 with Monroe’s Jessica Doyle second at 113 (61052).

The next tour stop is tomorrow up in Ringoes at the Heron Golf Course.

For more information on the New Jersey Junior Golf Competition, call (732) 683-9042 or visiting the Web site at www.njjgc.com.