DARIOS-RFA SWEEP TITLES AT SECTION III TOURNAMENT
The Rome Free Academy girls golf team won the Section III title Tuesday at Foxfire Golf Club in Baldwinsville. It was the first sectional crown for the program since the 1980s. Pictured from left are: Lauren Felice, Lillith Bulawa, head coach Dave Petrelli, Nicolette Darois and MaryAnn Bulawa.
RFA junior shoots 81 to claim title; Halwig, Bulawa also qualify for states
Story courtesy Nick Sardina cnygolfhome.com
May 22
RFA's Nicolette Darois lines up a putt on the 18th green. Darois two-putted from 30 feet to win the Section III title by one stroke over Holland Patent's Rachel Halwig.
Holland Patent’s Rachel Halwig finished one stroke back with an 82 to tie for second place. RFA’s MaryAnn Bulawa will head back to the state tournament after shooting 83 for solo fourth place.
MaryAnn’s sister Lillith Bulawa shot 89 and is the first alternate on the Section III team, which will send nine golfers and two alternates to the New York State Public High School Championships June 9-10 at SUNY Delhi.
Fayetteville-Manlius’ Meghan Kingsley, who aced the par-3 17th hole, tied Halwig for second place.
The remaining players who were top nine and will represent Section III at states are:Fayetteville-Manlius’ Allison Donella (84); Jamesville-Dewitt’s Molly Hair (85); CBA’s Brianna Sovring (87); CBA’s Emilie Oakes (88) and J-D’s Victoria Roney (88).
Baldwinsville’s Katie Walsh (90) is the second alternate.
For RFA coach Dave Petrelli, who was celebrating his 42nd birthday Tuesday, the win was a great gift.
“This is a huge deal,” Petrelli said. “I did think we had a chance, but didn’t really expect that. I knew the top three would come in with good scores, but Lauren (Felice) came in with a good score (99), and I think she really made the difference.
“It’s been a long road for the program. The first two years we struggled to get six girls. Now we have nine and they are all hard workers. This ranks right up there for me. It’s the first sectional title I’ve won and this is the best accomplishment since I’ve been girls golf coach.”Also, winning as a team and having Nicci (Darois) win the individual title is great.”
Holland Patent's Rachel Halwig hits a sand shot to the 18th green.
Halwig, a junior from Remsen, was the lone local player to qualify in 2011.
Darois did make a birdie on the par-3 17th, but other than that it was a steady round.
She credits her mindset as one of her strengths and it showed Tuesday.”I was able to play my mental game,” Darois said. “I made a few mistakes out there early and didn’t let it bother me. I was able to come back from the tough holes and just kept swinging smooth, instead of trying to do something I couldn’t. I just played with confidence and played my game.”
Another major perk for Darois, is she will get to play in the Symetra Tour’s Credit Union Classic’s pro-junior challenge on July 23-29 at Drumlins Country Club’s East Course.
“It’s amazing to be playing with the pros,” Darois said. “I’m also pretty nervous about it … but it’s awesome.”
MaryAnn Bulawa of RFA (below) reacts as her approach to the 18th heads toward a green-side trap. Halwig (82) and Bulawa (83) qualified for the state tournament.
Team Results, Division I: RFA 352; 2. Fayetteville-Manlius 370; CBA 387; Baldwinsville 388; Auburn 395; Cicero-North Syracuse 401; West Genesee 408.
Division II: Jamesville-Dewitt 385; Skaneateles 423; Westhill 423; New Hartford 439; Cazenovia 448; VVS 452; Camden 454.
Section III Team going to States: Nicolette Darois (RFA) 81; Rachel Halwig (Holland Patent) 82; Meghan Kingsley (FM) 82; MaryAnn Bulawa (RFA) 83; Allison Donella (F-M) 84; Molly Hair (JD) 85; Brianna Sovring (CBA) 87; Emilie Oakes (CBA) 88; Victoria Roney (J-D) 88; Lillith Bulawa (RFA, 1st alternate) 89; Katie Walsh (Baldwinsville, 2nd alternate).
Note: Fayetteville-Manlius’ Meghan
Kingsley aced the 122-yard 17th hole.
