Bethlehem’s Fox, Saratoga’s Crowley lead at state qualifier

ALTAMONT, N.Y. » Bethlehem Central senior Austin Fox fired a twoover par 73 at Orhcard Creek Golf Club to lead the field during the first day of the Section II New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A/B/C/D qualifier Tuesday in Altamont.

The 20 lowest scores (84-and below) advanced to Thursday’s final cut down round and three players competed in a playoff, tied at 85 to determine the final golfer. Schuylerville’s Ben Folios captured the playoff, outlasting Guilderland’s Colin Buyck and Saratoga Central Catholic’s Terel Tillman.

Section II Class A medalist Nolan Crowley fired a one-over 74 followed by Shenendehowa’s Paul Goetz with a 75 followed by Saratoga’s Will Braxton, Niskayuna’s Tyler Gregory and Bethlehem’s Ryan Davis with a 77.

Galway’s Ryan Lovelass fired a 78 with a quartet tied at 79 in Bethlehem’s T.J. Trossett, Guilderland’s Aidan Seery, Shenendehowa’s Mike Westfall and Hoosick Falls golfer Ryan Bloomer.

At 80 Albany Academy’s Ryan Warnick, Saratoga’s A.J. Cavotta, Shen’s Jack Manning, Ichabod Crane’s Trevor Wolfe and Greenwich golfer Reed Dobuch qualified with 80s.

Fonda-Fultonville’s Adam Desorbo and Saratoga’s Dylan Finnegan both fired 81 with Shaker’s Brian Cunningham with an 82 and Hoosick Falls fired an 84 to make the first-day cut.

The remaining 21 golfers will return to Orchard Creek Thursday morning for the second day of competition carrying their first round scores. The top nine finishers will advance to compete at the 2018 NYSPHSAA boys golf championships at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University at Cornell University June 2 to 4.