Young Golfer Triumphs at NJ Tourney

Local teen Andrew Nappi won his division at a golf event this weekend in Vernon, shooting a two-round combined score of 156.

Andrew's score was two strokes under his closest competition and nine strokes lower than the third place finisher.

Andrew, a freshman at Glen Rock High School, has been playing competitive golf for two years now, but according to his mom his connection began a long time ago and a little bit closer to home.

"Andrew's dad Chris is an avid golfer and they are both very competitive with each other," said Suzanne Nappi. "They golf together very often at Bowling Green Golf Course in Oak Ridge."

This is the 14-year-old's second event of the International Junior Golf Tour season according to their website, which also ranks Andrew as tied for third place in his U-14 Division.

According to Suzanne, this is his second time atop tourney standings — the first with IJGT.

"It was really exciting for him," she said.

Andrew will be back in action on the weekend of October 15 at an IJGT event at the  Architects Club in Lopatcong.

Here's a rundown of Andrew's division from this weekend — followed by the scores of the Top 13 finishers — from the IJGT website: 

"In the Boys U-14 Division we saw Andrew Nappi of Glen Rock, NJ take home the victory, posting two consistent rounds of 79 and 77 for a two-day total of 156. Andrew shot the low round in his division both days en route to the victory. Roland Massimino of Lumberville, PA fired a first round 80 to put him one stroke behind the leader Nappi. Roland shot a second round 78 for a two day total of 158 and second place honors. Rounding out the top three was Ryan Rodriguez of Highland Mills, NY with rounds of 81 and 84 for a weekend total of 165.

We caught up with Nappi after the round to discuss some highlights of the weekend.  When he was asked what part of his game he has been working on, he said 'I have been working very hard on my putting.' It was a close victory for Nappi, who commented 'I wasn’t sure if I was going to win until after my drive on the last hole was down the center of the fairway.'"

Boys U-14
Lake / Rail (Green Tees) — 6127 yards, Par 72

1. Andrew Nappi, Glen Rock, NJ,*79-77-156
2. Roland Massimino, Lumberville, PA,*80-78-158
3. Ryan Rodriguez, Highland Mills, NY,*81-84-165
4. Matthew Lee-Tolley, New York, NY,*85-81-166
4. Ryan Skae, Old Tappan, NJ,*81-85-166
6. Justin Lankler, Westfield, NJ,*90-81-171
6. Gavin Rickert, Ijamsville, MD,*85-86-171
8. Jake Mayer, Scotch Plains, NJ,*84-89-173
9. Ben Pirro, Bayport, NY,*86-89-175
10. Gabriel Estevez, Old Tappan, NJ,*101-81-182
11. Daniel Melcher, New York, NY, *98-92-190
12. Billy Langdon, Manhattan, NY,*101-91-192
13. Brian Aslanian, Purchase, NY, *106-99-205