Section V shines at state golf meet: Meet the golfers who made it happen

Correction: A previous version of this story mischaracterized the circumstances surrounding one golfer's final hole and the number of shots it took Emily Ferguson to complete the 18th during the NYSPHSAA Girls Golf Championship tournament. We apologize to Emily, her family and our readers for the errors.

Brody Burgess just wanted a chance at winning a golf state championship.

That's exactly what the Victor sophomore did at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Boys Golf Championships at the Mark Twain Golf Course in Elmira. After placing eighth overall at the 2022 state tournament, Burgess was this year's runner-up after forcing a playoff hole with the eventual individual champ, but his low score helped Section V win the NYS team title, redeeming its second-place finish last spring.

"Brody did really good job managing the moment," Victor coach Trevor Sousa said. "He struck the ball well, tackled a few birdie opportunities. If a few putts dropped for him, the outcome would've been different."

Mercy senior Julia Zigrossi's sixth-place finish led Mercy to a third-place medal at the girls tournament, which took place at The Edison Club in Rexford. Zigrossi placed fourth in 2022. She'll golf at James Madison University next.

"I think they were really happy with third place. That's the best we've ever done," Mercy coach Julia Odenbach said.

How Section V boys won the state golf title

Burgess, Pittsford Sutherland's Owen Corby, Pittsford Mendon's Matt Carpentier and Waterloo's John Siblosky returned to help Section V win the NYSPHSAA team title with a low score of 1,060 — 41 shots better than Section XI. Burgess joined Carpentier, Bishop Kearney's Danny Wehle, Mendon's London Hoyser and Addison's Ryan Thompson on the all-state team after finishing with top-20 scores.

Burgess was the individual runner-up after firing a 76-70-146. Union-Endicott's Dante Bertoni shot 73s both days and edged the Victor sophomore on the first playoff hole to conclude the June 3-5 event.

"Playing the course again helped the Section V team. They're all grinders," Sousa said.

How the Section V girls finished at the state golf meet

Mercy was in fourth place most of the event before moving up one spot to third. The Section V team finished placed fifth. Julia Zigrossi and Sophia Cellura made the all-state team on June 5.

"They really had a great showing," Odenbach said.

Top Section V golfers

Brody Burgess

A two-time Section V Class AA champion who also won Super Sectionals, Burgess was disappointed in the 76 he shot in the opening round. He bounced back with a two-under-par 70 in the final round. Though his putter wasn't as good as he'd hoped, Burgess hit the ball "wonderfully," coming from behind to take the leader into a playoff hole.

"That was one of the best days I've had striking wise," Burgess said.

After what Burgess called a successful varsity season — shot season low 32 at Mendon; Victor had unbeaten regular season; shot a 77 for fifth-place at the NYS Federation Championships — he plans on golfing in the US Junior Amateur Qualifier on Monday at Rome's Teugega Country Club.

Owen Corby

The Sutherland golf star won the NYS Federation Championship on June 11 at Bethpage State Park on Long Island. His tournament low two-over-par 73 helped NYSPHSAA win the team title. At the NYSPHSAA championships, Corby fired a 74-74-148. Corby is also the Section V Class A champion.

"He hits the ball extremely far, the farthest of anyone I've ever played with," Burgess said. "He's a good putter too. He was pretty confident with the course."

Julia Zigrossi

Zigrossi led Mercy to a third-place finish at the NYSPHSAA team championships. She tied for sixth place overall after shooting 78-74-152. She placed fourth overall in 2022. Zigrossi will golf at James Madison University next. Coach Odenbach said the senior hoped to golf better at states.

Zigrossi qualified for the NYS Federation Tournament but missed the event due to graduation.

"Julia was not happy with her round this year. She knows she can do better," Odenbach said. "They get down on themselves a bit but she picked it up. She's so sweet, she doesn't want to disappoint others. She's just a great gal.They're going to love her in college."

Key moment at the state golf meet

Burgess was enamored by the hundreds of spectators crowding around the green during playoff hole at the conclusion of the NYSPHSAA Championships. He climbed back from five shots behind with five holes to play. He birded holes 15 and 17, and his par on 18 forced the playoff. Bertoni birdied the first hole to win the NYS crown. Burgess missed his birdie opportunity but said he could've made the par putt.

"It was a lot of fun," Burgess said.

Game balls

Boys

Carpentier (82-69-151) and Wehle (73-78-151) each placed fifth while Hoyser (79-76-155) and Thompson (79-76-155) both finished in 15th, joining Burgess with all-state medals. Hilton's George Green (79-78-157), Mount Morris' Ethan Provino (79-79-158) and Siblosky (85-82-167) rounded out the boys' scoring. Carpentier's three-under-par 69 scored the tournament's lowest round.

"It was a really cool experience," Burgess said. "Everyone I've known, we were all together and we won a state title. It's a pretty cool feeling."

Girls

Sophia Cellura was steady, parring most holes to finish tied for 20th with an 80-84-164. Olivia Zito (96-98-194) shot some "really good rounds." Marisa Eichas (90-91-181) also contributed to Mercy's third-place finish. Lauren Garsin (109-120-229) was an alternate. Fairport's Harper Dittman (89-86-175), Spencerport's Emily Zigrossi (97-89-186) and Webster's Haley Kucewicz (96-104-200) also golfed well.

Rush-Henrietta's Emma Sweazy won the sportsmanship award. Odenbach felt bad that Sweazy didn't golf, but praised her for being ready to participate whenever coaches asked of her.

Section V champions

• Class AA: McQuaid; Victor's Brody Burgess.

• Class A: Pittsford Mendon; Sutherland's Owen Corby.

• Class B Addison; Bishop Kearney's Danny Wehle.

• Class C: Caledonia-Mumford; Addison's Ryan Thompson.

• Class D: Byron-Bergen; Mount Morris' Ethan Provino.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Victor golfer guides Section V to state title: Meet the top athletes