Bethlehem’s Fox Shines For Section II At State Golf Qualifier

Victor Fox of Bethlehem High School took medalist honors at the Section II State Golf Qualifier held at Orchard Creek (Altamont) on Thursday.  Nine golfers qualified for a berth on the Section II team which will compete in the state tournament at Cornell University in June 2012.

The talented junior shot a 68 to follow his 71 in the first round Tuesday for a 139, three under par. His teammate, Jeff Palmerino also made the elite squad with 70-77-147.

"Vic had a a tremendous tournament. Today (Thursday) he didn't make a bogey until the last hole; he 3 putted 18. He was the only player under par for the tournament, which says a lot. Having him on the Section II team will make us lots more competitive this year. He will have a legitimate shot to win out there," said Bethlehem head coach Richard Villa.

Austin Teal of Albany Academy carded 74-72-146 to finish second and will make his second trip to the states.

"Austin has played great golf for the past two years and as a senior returning to the state tournament for a second time, we will rely on him for his experience at Cornell. He put together two solid rounds at Orchard Creek, a course that he plays really well. Beyond golf, Austin is an outstanding young man – a gentleman and a true competitor. He has gotten the interest of some college coaches and I believe he can play at the next level. I’m really happy for him and look forward to him making some noise out at Cornell in June," said Jak Bestle, Albany Academy head coach and Section II golf chairman.

Shenendehowa will feature three golfers going to Cornell University for the state tournament.

DJ Tozier shot 78-68-146, Jimmy Greg had 75-74-149 and Alex Kinkaid added 77-75-152.

Fox took his sophomore season off to concentrate on school and national junior tournaments.

It's been a particular successful golf season for Fox. He captured medalist honors in the Section II Class A Tournament at Town of Colonie prior to competing in the state qualifier.

"Today's round was flawless up until the 18th hole. I had other chances to make birdies such as hole #5 where I had about 20 yards into the green and didn't get up and down for birdie, but I'm not complaining. I saved myself a couple of times for par when I rolled the putt a few feet past the hole but I was able to regroup and sink the putt coming back," said Fox.

When did Fox really feel comfortable about his game on Thursday?

"I would say the point when I knew it was gunna be a good round was on the 11th hole when I sank a putt from about 15 feet for birdie. It feels great knowing that I finaly have the chance to play in the state tournament seeing that I haven't yet but have come very close. I've heard many stories about the trip and I'm looking forward to it for sure," he said.

Bestle feels this will be a competitive Section II team which will be very representative at the state tournament.

"The 2011-12 Section II team is as strong a group of nine players as we have had in recent memory. The coaching staff is excited about the potential to challenge out at Cornell and improve on our finishes from the past few years," he said.

The Section II State Qualifier list

*Victor Fox (Bethlehem) 71-68-139 -3, *Austin Teal (Albany Academy) 74-72-146 +4, *DJ Tozier (Shenendehowa) 78-68-146 +4, *Jeff Palmerino (Bethlehem) 70-77-147 +5, *Dylan Gladd (Columbia) 74-74-148 +6, *Davis Jensen (Shaker) 76-72-148 +6, *Jimmy Greg (Shenendehowa) 75-74-149 +7, *Alex Kinkaid (Shenendehowa) 77-75-152 +10, *Matt Parrottino (Voorheesville) 76-77-153 +11, $Cory Purcell (Catholic Central) 79-77-156 +14, #Ryan Lynch (Schalmont) 80-79-159 +17, Tim LaSarso (Queensbury) 78-81-159 +17, Christian Flemming (Saratoga) 79-81-160 +18, Bobby McCarthy (Shenendehowa) 80-80-160 +18, Jacob Rounds (Broadalbin-Perth) 80-82-162 +20, Calvin Beckwith (Saratoga) 79-84-163 +21

*Qualified for Section 2 state team

$First Alternate

#Second Alternate

Note: Lynch defeated LaSarso on the second playoff hole of sudden death