Low Score, High Honors: SPF Takes First in UCC

Sparked by outstanding efforts from sophomore Steve Pedersen, junior David Pak, senior John Foti and senior Bryan Laguna, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood golf team captured last Thursday’s Union County Conference competition at Suburban Golf Club in Union. Scotch Plains won the Watchung Division and the overall championship with a score of 328. Summit captured the Mountain Division title.

Pedersen shot the low round of the day, which was a 74. He finished tied for fourth in the Union County Tournament match at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield back on May 5, shooting a 79 along with defending champion Brandon Molson of Westfield and Jason Scarpa of New Providence.

Pak shot an 83, Foti an 85 and Laguna an 86 to round out the Scotch Plains scores in the conference match.

Foti placed second in the UCT with a score of 77. Johnson senior Jacob Stockl, who will continue at Rutgers, won the UCT for the third time with a score of 75.

Scotch Plains finished third in the UCT’s team standings with a score of 343. Westfield repeated as champions with a score of 324, while New Providence was second at 340.

“There were the same teams that were in the county tournament, so this was good for our kids,” Scotch Plains coach Steve Ciccotelli said.

As a result of their fine efforts, Pedersen and Pak earned First Team All-Conference honors and Foti and Laguna Second Team.

“I thought we could do better than what we did in the [May 5] county match and the kids came out and performed well, which is a tribute to them,” Ciccotelli said.