Westhampton's Zach Berger wins Suffolk individual boys golf championship
Zach Berger of Westhampton watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the Suffolk = boys golf individual championship on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Manorville. Credit: Dawn McCormick
When Westhampton Beach junior Zach Berger was pulled up to the varsity squad in seventh grade, coach Fred Musumeci was impressed by the young golfer’s short game.
What has proved to be Berger’s strength over the past five seasons translated into the ultimate success on Wednesday, as he captured the Suffolk individual championship at Pine Hills Golf and Country Club in Manorville with a two-day, 36-hole score of 6-under par 140.
“I've been hitting my irons well and didn’t miss the green too often. My nine iron was working really well for me and my short game helped me consistently save par,” Berger said. “I just stuck to my game plan and ended up getting it done. I’m glad it finally paid off [on] a big stage.”
Berger parred 11 holes, bogeyed three and made four birdies for a 72 on Wednesday. He shot a 5-under par 68 on Tuesday to qualify for the second round, his third 5-under finish in his career.
The previous day’s approach provided Berger with enough knowledge to control his pace throughout the second round.
“Yesterday I was very aggressive on the front nine but then on the back nine I decided to play more conservatively and once I gave myself more opportunities to make birdie by being on the green, that worked out better for me than being super aggressive towards the pin," Berger said.
Berger had played varsity tennis for Westhampton Beach as a freshman, but decided to focus on golf last year.
“Before I could walk, I was playing golf and I just loved it. Golf is my number one sport and I feel like that’ll take me the furthest,” he said.
Berger’s teammate and 2023 individual champion, senior Owen Jessop, finished second with a 3-over par 149.
“They have great mindsets, and they compete. They never get frazzled. They don’t wilt under pressure,” Musumeci said. “Aside from their amazing talent, they’re mentally strong.”
The top nine finishers will compete in the state championship next June at Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville. Berger finished eighth at last year’s tournament with an even-par 144.
“Last year at states, Zach showed me a lot. He had such a great run on the back nine, that he was tied for third but unfortunately missed the putt on 18 which dropped him to eight,” Musumeci said. “But he’s proved again today he’s not only one of the top players in the county, but in the state. He could get right back there.”
Riverhead’s Colby Baran finished third (151) and Brodie Douglas of Northport finished fourth (152). Half Hollow Hills West’s Harry Wolk and Mount Sinai’s finished tied for fifth (153). Reid Groth of Westhampton Beach placed seventh (154) while Ray Woolsey of Sayville and Casey Triolo of Northport tied for eighth (156).
