Just wrapped up writing my story on the CHSAA state championship at James Baird State Park where it was a huge day for Fordham Prep.

The Rams had three of the top 6 players from the 41-golfer field, including first place Jon Renza. Not only did the sophomore win the event for a second straight year, but he did it by winning in a sudden-death playoff.

Even in pressure situations, Renza always remains calm and today was another example. He found himself behind some trees in the left rough on 18 about 140 yards away, but didn’t panic. Instead, he hit a phenomenal/pretty fortunate low hooking shot that bounced over the huge bunker in front of the green and rolled into the rough.

John Rogers from St. Anthony’s, his opponent in the playoff, clearly was a little shaken and was unable to hit a good recovery shot. Renza wound up with a remarkable par to win the hole and capture this title for the second time in two tries.

But Renza won’t be alone next weekend at Mark Twain Country Club in Elmira. He will be joined by junior teammates Teddy Morrissey and John Hough, both of whom shot 77 to finish in a tie for fourth place. The top six golfers from the private school, public school, CHSAA and city school championships advance to the field of 24 players that make up the Federation Championship each year.

Morrissey made it through on his first try, an impressive accomplishment. It’s been a real breakout season for him after watching most of the action the past two years. He played a critical role in the Rams’ recent league championship by beating his opponent in Fordham Prep’s 3-2 win over rival Iona.

Meanwhile, this has been a long-time coming for Hough, who narrowly missed qualifying the past two years. Last year, a double bogey on 18 was costly, but this time, he made an unusual bogey save after his approach shot sailed the green and ended up behind a split-rail wooden fence where spectators were standing. Hough bunted a 3-wood through the green and then got up-and-down to make a five, which wound up being just enough.

Hough used the confidence gained from recently qualifying for the MGA’s Ike Championship as well. He has been playing extremely well of late and he kept that string going today.

The other local players were Stepinac’s Joe Collins (78), Iona Prep’s Rich Korzelius (80), Fordham Prep’s Dave Bush (81), Iona Prep’s Shane Malloy (82) and Fordham Prep’s Paul Toohey. Collins is Stepinac’s standout quarterback during the football season (take that anyone who thinks golfers aren’t tough).

Morrissey, Hough and St. Peter’s Sean Prisco actually had a playoff to determine the 4-6 spots and which trophy they would get. Prisco was eliminated on the first hole, but Hough and Morrissey “battled” for two more holes, before Hough came away with the 4th place hardware.

Neither seemed to care much since they already knew their ticket was punched to Elmira. As Hough pointed out afterwards, it was good it wasn’t a real playoff though, since the two were riding the same car back together…