Edler Earns Medal In 92nd Junior Qualifying; Chae Is Boys Medalist
John Edler of Rumson fired a 5-under-par 67 for the low round of his career and earned medalist honors on Monday, July 22, in the 92nd NJSGA Billy Y. Dear Junior Championship at 6,424-yard Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater.
Edler was two shots clear of May Greyserman of Crestmont (69), and three better than James Mongey III of Spring Brook and Nicholas Rencis of Ballyowen, who each shot 70.
The top 15 in Monday’s stroke play advance to Tuesday’s first round of match-play to join defending champion and top-seed Ryan Rose of Ridgewood.
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In the 43rd NJSGA Boys Championship, 15-year-old Justin Chae of New Jersey National carded a 2-under-par 70 for medalist honors. Steve Weingroff of White Beeches was second at 72, followed by Andrew Bowyer of Canoe Brook and Christopher Lee of Overpeck, both at 74. The top 16 advance to Tuesday’s match-play.
In both the Juniors and Boys competition, the championships will be decided on Wednesday in semifinal and then, final, matches.
“I made a whole bunch of 12-footers,” said Edler, 18, the Monmouth County Player of the Year and a second-team All-State selection. Edler’s card included six birdies and one bogey.
“I made a 20-foot downhill putt for a par on the second hole and that gave me some momentum. I’m looking forward to match-play tomorrow. I prefer it over stroke play.”
Edler, who enrolls at Bucknell University in the fall, led Rumson High School to a Group 2 sectional title and championships of the Monmouth County and Shark River Invitationals. He had played Raritan Valley last year in the Herbert Barker triangular match, helping Rumson Country Club to victory over Raritan Valley and Arcola.
Greyserman, who attended Peddie and will join the Duke University golf team in the fall, carded six birdies against three bogeys. He was a second-team Rolex All-American last summer.
“I struggled early on and missed a lot of short birdie putts,” said Greyserman. “I was able to focus better on the back nine. I took advantage of my putting.”
Chae, 15, who lives in Summit will be a sophomore at Peddie. He turns 16 on Sept. 2. He finished fourth in the Non-Public B sectional at Hopewell Valley. His round on Monday included four birdies and two bogeys.
“This is my first time in the Boys Championship. I chose this over the Juniors because it gives me a better chance to win. Last summer, I competed in both the Met Junior and Met Boys,” he said.
