One year ago, a young, undefeated MHS golf team entered the Nassau County Golf Championships with high hopes and expectations. The team, however, struggled and missed the cut, going home after only one day.

This year, on May 24th, at the end of the first day of the 2001 Nassau County Golf Championships held at Bethpage State Park, the Manhasset squad found

itself in prime position to win the entire tournament. Following the first round, Manhasset, with 412 strokes, trailed Lynbrook by only one stroke, and was tied with the three-time defending champ, Syosset. When the final putt dropped the following afternoon, the Manhassetplayers had separated themselves from Lynbrook, Syosset, and the rest of the field to emerge with the school's first ever golf championship. The team finished with an aggregate (best five of the six scores each day) total of 812 for the two

rainy, blustery days of the championship, seven strokes better than second-place Syosset. Junior Hunter Semels was the last man off the course for Manhasset the second day at the Red Course. After firing a first-day 79 on the Blue Course, Semels sealed the deal for Manhasset - rolling in a five-foot downhill putt on the final hole to finish with 76.

Seniors Cliff Ryan and Scott Pierangelo, despite fighting with their swings throughout much of the competition, finished with low scores of 158 (79-79) and 159 (81-78), respectively. The most important performance in the victory may have been that of Freshman Anthony Figlia, who fired two consecutive rounds of 81.

Junior Danny Higgins and Senior Pat Anglin, both playing in their first County tournament, came through with solid rounds the second day (Higgins shot 86 while Anglin finished with 87), helping Manhasset pull away from the other contending teams and win the championship.

Now the team prepares for the Long Island Championship next Thursday, held at Bethpage State Park Black Course (home of the 2002 U.S. Open). This event

will be a head to head match versus the Suffolk County Champions.

Each year, the top 9 individual finishers of the 120 that qualified for the County Tournament qualify to represent Nassau County at the New York State Championships at Cornell University Golf Course in Ithaca, NY. Semels and Ryan, who both placed in the top 9, will participate in the event from June 1-4. Coach Chuck Collyer will attend the tournament with his players. In

addition, Scott Pierangelo, who finished in a tie for 10th, will likely join his teammates. Pierangelo birdied the first playoff hole to earn the alternate spot. Freshman Anthony Figlia placed better than any other freshman in the event and also only missed the cut for states by four strokes. Figlia will certainly be a major threat in many county tournaments to come.

The team attributes its success to extensive practice during the past three to four months. Familiarity with challenging golf courses - in particular, home course Plandome Country Club, undoubtedly aided the team's victory as well.