Local quartet earns berths in states
Kingston’s Scott Kleeschulte & Jake Hommel, Onteora’s Justin Lane, Roosevelt’s Jeff Peters to compete in NYS championships June 4-5
Onteora High’s Justin Lane, Jeff Peters from Roosevelt and Kingston’s Scott Kleeschulte and Jake Hommel all qualified for the state golf tournament at the Section 9 tourney Wednesday.
The top nine of the field of 21 who made Wednesday’s second and final round at Casperkill advance to the June 4-5 New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament at Cornell University’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.
Lane had a two-day 72-75— 147 to finish eight strokes back of champion Josh Kienz of Valley Central, who shot a 139. Kienz led Lane by three strokes heading into the final round.
Peters was third with a 73-75— 148. Kleeschulte was sixth at 7577—152. Hommel shot a 76-79—155 to tie for eighth with Millbrook’s Tyler Schaad, capturing the final qualifying berths.
Kingston’s Donte Groppuso (8176—157) just missed qualifying.
Also competing Wednesday were Red Hook’s Austin Lunstedt (77-83—160) and Wallkill’s Kyle Doering (83-87—170). Travis Hornbeck of Rondout Valley shot an 82 and made Monday’s cut at
the Powelton Club in Newburgh, but withdrew before the final round.
Those who failed to make the first-round cut Monday were Kyle Hilliard of Kingston, Ori Grady of Onteora, Rondout’s Jeff Shaver and Branch Cranfield, Nick Puleo of New Paltz, Marlboro’s Charles Benfer and Will Conti, Kieran Defino of Saugerties and Roosevelt’s Max Lafalce.