Eagles’ Fox a 3-time Sec. 2 medalist
A good day of golf on Tuesday put several players in positions on Thursday to qualify for the New York State Golf Tournament in June. The top nine Section II golfers made the cut at Orchard Creek Golf Club.
Bethlehem senior Austin Fox became a three-time Section II medalist and state qualifier, eclipsing the mark set by his brother, Victor, with his 73-72 145 this week.
That will be my first call after this probably,” Austin Fox said. “(He) called me last night and said ‘I want you to beat me.’ It gave me confidence, I don’t know if he meant it, but I took it and gave me a lot of confidence.”
Fox shot at 2-over par 73 on Tuesday for the first spot heading into Thursday’s final day of qualifying and followed up with a one-over par 72.
“It wasn’t my ‘A’ game, but it
got the job done. I’m satisfied with it,” Fox said.
Golfers are known to be both superstitious and quick to change golf equipment. After coming up second at the Section II Class A tournament to Saratoga Springs golfer Nolan Ryan wearing a Bethlehem Central baseball cap, Fox switched to his traditional bucket hat, white with a ‘B’ on the front.
“I switched it up,” Fox said. “I’ve had some good memories in this the last couple of years, so I’ll keep it going I guess.”
Section II medalist Nolan Crowley finished second with a 148 over two days followed by Shenendehowa’s Paul Goetz and Guilderland’s Aidan Seery with 153s. Galway’s Ryan Lovelass fired a two-day total of 154 with Hoosick Falls golfer Ryan Bloomer shooting a 155 to make the cut.
Bloomer had his work cut out for him after shooting a 79 on Tuesday e bounced back with a 76 to make his first NYS team.
“I definitely rested, I didn’t play any golf in-between,” Ryan Bloomers said. “I think it was more part of the course.
“Tuesday when I played it was windy and today there wasn’t much wind at all, so it definitely helped a lot. I came in a lot more focused knowing that I had to shoot well, that helped.”
Bloomer surprised himself during Thursday’s round.
“I hit my driver really bad on Tuesday and today I fixed it and had more straight drives helped, I hit a lot more fairways,” Bloomer said.
He also stepped up his golf game at the right time.
“I didn’t play well during the season this year, I played good, but I didn’t play as well,” Bloomer said. “When I got to here I was used to it a lot more and I played a lot more to get used to it.
“Making the state team wasn’t really on my mind, I wasn’t thinking about it much. I was just trying to make it to the second day more than anything, gust to give myself a chance to make the state team.”