Raiders Golf Misses Chance at North Jersey Champs

Scotch Plains-Fanwood golf coach Steve Ciccotelli knew his team would really need to have a memorable effort to make the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions.

The young Raiders had to place in the top two teams of the North Jersey 1-2 Group III Championships field Monday at Darlington Golf Course in Mahwah to make next Monday's Tournament of Championships at Rumson Country Club. The Raiders weren't close, but junior John Foti just missed being one of five players to make it as an individual. Foti shot a 78, one stroke behind Old Tappan's Hyung Mo Kim.

"One of the things I really want the kids to do is get a feel for what this tournament is like,'' Ciccotelli said.

Ramapo's Alex Fodi won with a 1-over-par 72 at the lengthy 6,800-yard course. Northern Highland's won the tournament with a low of 312 and Ramapo was five back. 

Foti, who plays left wing for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood hockey team in the winter, led freshman Steve Pedersen (87), junior Ryan Laguna (91), sophomore Dave Pak (95) and sophomore Alan Woodfield (100). The Raiders should be in good position to make a serious run to the Tournament of Champions next year.

"I'll take it," Foti said. "I would say it's better than what I've been shooting. It's a good score for what I've been shooting. I know I could have made up a few strokes; it kind of stinks to miss by one stroke. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't really know anything about the opponents."

Foti said he had one birdie and a couple of bogies during his trek along the long course.

Can the Raiders make the step next year to get to the championship meet?

"Everybody has to be more consistent," he said. "I don't think we played well. We really have to be more consistent."