St. Anthony's Joe Boron shoots 1-over 72 for second place in CHSAA state championship
St. Anthony's freshman Joe Boron, seen here with Friars coach Quintin Volpe, finished second in the CHSAA state championship tournament in boys golf Monday at James Baird State Park Golf Course in Pleasant Valley. Credit: Brian Heyman
PLEASANT VALLEY — Joe Boron stood anxiously outside the scoring tent, having fired his 1-over 72, which had him in the lead for the CHSAA state championship among those who had reported their scores. But one foursome had yet to come off the course.
Could this St. Anthony’s golfer become the boys state champ as a mere freshman?
“My fingers were crossed,” Boron said. “I was pretty hopeful. I already knew I qualified [for the Federation tournament] because even if all four of them beat me, I still would’ve qualified. So I was pretty happy about that. I was hoping to win. I didn’t. It’s still great. I’m proud of the other kid.”
The other kid was Fordham Prep’s Julio Rodas-Rhim. He won with a 3-under 68 Monday at James Baird State Park Golf Course. But the runner-up trophy was a great prize at this point for a 15-year-old from Holbrook.
“To come out and finish second as a freshman in a state tournament with his first experience is phenomenal,” Friars coach Quintin Volpe said. “It’s a credit to his work rate all season, his commitment to the game and his ability to compete in difficult situations.”
Boron had competed for Sachem’s varsity as a seventh and eighth grader before becoming a Friar. After finishing in the top six with his steady one-birdie, two-bogey round, he will play in that Federation tournament here on June 15.
“Same mentality,” Boron said. “I’m just going to go to win. Do my absolute best and see what happens.”
Chaminade’s Alessandro Maltese and Cole Jones from St. Mary’s of Lancaster tied for third at 73. But after a match of scorecards in regard to the toughest-rated hole, No. 13, Maltese’s par broke the tie because Jones had bogeyed it.
“It means a lot to me,” Maltese said. “ . . . Definitely satisfied.”
Six finished at 74, so there was a playoff to determine the final two going to the Fed. Chaminade’s Bennett Reda was among them. He ended up eighth.
Nicky Leone of St. Dominic tied for 12th, carding a 76.
Jacob Andersen of St. Anthony’s, who tied for second at the NSCHSAA tournament with Boron last month, and teammate Gio Giaquinto were among five tied for 32nd at 80. They were one shot ahead of the Friars’ Nick Prosa, who tied for 37th after winning the NSCHSAA title.
“The greens were tough,” Andersen said. “I think I could’ve done a lot better.”
