The St. John Fisher College golf team won its fourth consecutive Empire 8 Conference Championship by an astounding 123 strokes on Sunday by turning in a four-round team score of 1172 (296-280-293-303). Scott Harris Jr. (Honeoye/Honeoye) was the tournament’s top individual with a final score of 289 (76-67-74-72), and was named as the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year, while coach Bob Simms earned Co-Coach of the Year Honors.
Simms, in his eighth year year at the helm, has led the Cardinals to a first-place finish in all but two tournaments this season, and has guided the Cardinals to unprecedented success during his tenure.
The Cardinals, who have also won six out of the last eight championships, held a 94-shot lead at the end of the third day, increased their lead behind strong play from Harris, who turned a 1-over par 72 in the final round to claim top honors.
In addition to Harris, Fisher placed all five of its team members in the top 10 standings, including Tom Muto Jr. (North Rose-Wolcott/Wolcott) (291), an Empire 8 First Team selection, who led the field at the conclusion of the third round after shooting a 2-under 69, but slipped up on the final day and finished in third place behind Elmira’s Brandon Christo (290).
Seniors
Bobby McCartney (Webster Schroeder/Webster) (4
th/296), and
Nick Velasco (Cazenovia/Cazenovia) (5
th/299) also earned top-five finishes and were named to the Empire 8 First Team, while sophomores
James Ozello IV (Livonia/Livonia) (6
th/317) and
Nick Schuler (Churchville-Chili/Rochester) (7
th/319) rounded out the impressive performance for the Cardinals with Second Team All-Conference honors.
Fisher, ranked 14th nationally, and winners of all but one tournament in the 2007-2008 season, will return to action this weekend in the Fred B. Kravetz Invitational at Rochester’s Oak Hill Country Club on Friday, and will wrap play on Saturday at Irondequoit Country Club.
