All-Shore golf 2024: Who are the top boys, girls players, teams from the Shore Conference?

To characterize the 2024 Shore Conference golf season as competitive wouldn't do justice to the events of the past few months on the links in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

From the opening shots of the season through the recent NJSIAA State Championship, there were incredible performances, surprising results and moments that ultimately define the spring boys and girls high school golf campaign locally.

And all while there's not greater example of what's possible for players from the Shore than the fact that two Shore Conference alumni are competing on the PGA Tour this season, with former CBA standout Chris Gotterup winning his first PGA Tour event on May 12 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, with former Mater Dei star Ryan McCormick finishing fourth.

Here are the 2024 Asbury Park Press All-Shore Boys and Girls golf teams, along with the final team rankings:

2024 ALL-SHORE BOYS GOLF

FIRST TEAM

Jack Aiello, Colts Neck, Senior

After struggling with injuries the past few years, Aiello put it all together in his final season. It began with a dominating victory at the Monmouth County Tournament, going 3-under-par after four holes en route to a three-shot victory. And he was poised to make it two straight area majors when a birdie on the final two holes gave him a one-shot lead, before losing in a playoff. He helped the Cougars win the B North title this season.

Pat Scenna, Wall, Senior

His four seasons were the most productive ever for the Crimson Knights, winning three NJSIAA Group 2 championships, the first Shore Conference title in two decades and a Monmouth County title. Scenna, a Monmouth University commit, won the MCT individual title as a junior, won the Wall Invitational twice, including this season, and was never worse than fourth at the MCT or SCT over his final three seasons. Was top-ranked among Shore players in the NJSIAA’s new iWR player rankings.

John Welch, Ranney, Senior

It was the most dramatic moment of the spring golf season. Trailing by a shot and facing a third shot from just off the 18th green on the par-4 finishing hole on the South course at Charleston Springs, Welch used a putter and drained it from 30 feet to force a playoff, winning on the first extra hole. And Welch, who was fifth at Monmouth County, played No. 1 for a groundbreaking Ranney squad that won its first SCT and NJSIAA Non-Public B titles.

Daniel Cassidy, Middletown South, Senior

Played well from start to finish this season, from a top-20 finish at the Wall Invitational to open the season, to qualifying for the NJSIAA State Championship as an individual. After finishing sixth at the SCT as a junior, he finished third this season, missing the playoff by a shot, after placing fifth at the MCT. Cassidy was ranked second among Shore players this season in the NJSIAA’s iWR player rankings.

Christian Klemanowicz, Freehold Twp., Senior

Pulled off an incredible round-ending stretch at the NJSIAA Central-South Group 4 sectional, finishing eagle-birdie-par-birdie to extend the Patriots’ season, elevating the team into a three-way tie for second, securing the final ticket to the State Championship via a tie-breaker. He was third individually at the sectional the past two seasons, was sixth at the SCT and was No. 4 among Shore players in the NJSIAA rankings, and shot 78 at the State Championship.

Jack Puma, CBA, Senior

Closed out his career with the Colts in style, firing a 1-under-par 71 to finish sixth at the NJSIAA Boys Golf State Championship Monday, the low score among area competitors as the Colts finished second overall, after winning the South Non-Public A sectional individual title. It capped a season that began with Puma finishing tied for second at the Monmouth County Tournament, as the Colts finished second.

SECOND TEAM

Patrick Sharpe, Holmdel, Senior

Boden Pepe, Wall, Senior

Jack Hennelly, Monmouth, Senior

Will Ross, Rumson-Fair Haven, Junior

Sam Landers, Ranney, Sophomore

Ryan Quigley, Holmdel, Sophomore

THIRD TEAM

Charlie Cormey, Wall, Senior

Chris Hannan, Ranney, Junior

Dylan Mattessich, Manasquan, Sophomore

Connor Noon, Lacey, Senior

Jack Stamberger, CBA, Freshman

Paul Reilly, Southern, Freshman

Mailon Kent, Point Boro, Junior

Ranney caps historic season atop rankings

When the Ranney School boys’ golf team walked off the course at the Peddie School last week, having won the first-ever Prep B state championship, it marked a fitting conclusion to a groundbreaking season for the program, which ends the season ranked No. 1 in the Asbury Park Press Boys Golf Top 10.

The final title came just two days after the Panthers won their first NJSIAA Non-Public B championship, part of a spring full of firsts for the program, which also won the South Non-Public B title.

Perhaps the biggest victory of all for head coach Michael Bulter’s squad came at the Shore Conference Tournament, when Ranney stunned the field at Charleston Springs, finishing at 305 for a two-shot victory over defending champion Wall, the eventual Group 2 champs. In addition to senior John Welch winning the individual title, Ranney got a 76 from sophomore Sam Landers, who won the individual title at the Prep B Tournament, a 78 from junior Chris Hannan and 80 from senior Noah Weiss and an 84 from sophomore Gavin Karlin, who won the South Non-Public B individual title.

Ranney also captured the Shore Conference A Central division title.

FINAL BOYS GOLF TOP 10

1. Ranney (18-2)

2. Wall (14-1)

3. CBA (10-0)

4. Holmdel (15-3)

5. Freehold Twp. (17-2)

6. Middletown South (12-4)

7. Southern (18-4)

8. Point Boro (5-6)

9. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-8)

10. Manasquan (9-9)

2024 ALL-SHORE GIRLS GOLF

FIRST TEAM

Sirina Ganne, Holmdel, Junior

Continued the standard of excellence that began with her victory at the 2023 Shore Conference Tournament, before securing the individual title at the NJSIAA State Championship a few weeks later. After opening the 2024 season with a victory at the Monmouth County Tournament, where she finished third a year ago, she cruised to a four-shot victory at the Shore Conference Tournament. During the regular season, she ranked No. 18 in the state in the NJSIAA’s iWR rankings and No. 5 in the state in birdies. And the Hornets were the area’s dominant team, winning the Monmouth County and Shore Conference titles, to go with an A Central division title.

Kashish Malik, Marlboro, Junior

Has been a threat to win every time she walks the course since her freshmen season, when she won the Shore Conference Tournament, taking the Monmouth County title as a sophomore. She saved her best for last this spring, firing an even-par 74 at the NJSIAA State Championship at Raritan Valley, giving her a top-10 finish among the state’s best players, lowest among Shore competitors. She was ranked No. 6 in the state in the NJSIAA’s iWR ranking system, was second at both the SCT and MCT this season, and the Mustangs won the A North division title.

Lauren Nam, Trinity Hall, Sophomore

Emerged as one of the most talented young players at the Shore this spring. It began with a 74 at Charleston Springs to finish fourth at the Monmouth County Tournament, backing that up by firing a 79 at Jumping Brook to claim third at the Shore Conference. Qualified for the NJSIAA State Championship as an individual and shot 84, the fourth lowest score among Shore players, and ranked No. 50 overall in the state’s iWR rankings.

Yasmeen Muhammad, Barnegat, Senior

Burst onto the scene by finishing as the low Ocean County competitor at the 2021 Shore Conference Tournament as a freshman, building on that foundation ever since. Muhammad won the 2023 Ocean County title, and as a close second this year. And at the SCT she placed fifth, tops from Ocean County players, while ending with the second-best iWR ranking in the county.

Minna Liang, Holmdel, Sophomore

There was plenty to build on from a rookie season that included losing in a playoff to Sirina Ganne at the Shore Conference Tournament, helping the Hornets win the team title. This season she was sixth at Monmouth County and seventh at Shore Conference, with the Hornets once again sweeping both team titles. Liang ranked No. 28 in the state’s iWR rankings, and shot 79 to place 26th at the NJSIAA State Championship.

Mia Martinez, Pinelands, Freshman

The Wildcats’ rookie made quite a first impression, winning her first high school tournament with a two-shot victory over defending champ Yasmeen Muhammad at the Ocean County Tournament. Paired with the top Monmouth County players at the Shore Conference Tournament, Martinez had a solid 12th place finish, and at the NJSIAA State Championship she shot 88 for the fifth-best finish among Shore competitors.

SECOND TEAM

Ruby Haloukas, Howell, Junior

Peyton Cerminaro, Howell, Senior

Morgan Tyhanic, Pinelands, Freshman

Riley Lawrence, Shore, Senior

Tatiana Konczyk, Saint Rose, Junior

Alex Presutti, Ranney, Senior

THIRD TEAM

Ryleigh Leuthold, Manasquan, Freshman

Samantha Reilly, Southern, Junior

Reese Corcoran, Ocean, Senior

Caroline Hickey, Rumson-Fair Have, Senior

Lia Gordon, Holmdel, Freshman

Gabriella Vega, Toms River South, Freshman

Holmdel emerges as top team

For the second straight year it was Holmdel emerging as the Shore Conference’s team to beat, with the Hornets ending the 2024 spring campaign ranked No. 1 in the Asbury Park Press Girls Golf Rankings.

Head coach Kathy Bradley’s Hornets were able to successfully defend titles at both the Monmouth County and Shore Conference Tournaments, while finishing on top of the A Central division standings.

Marlboro finished second to the Hornets at both the MCT and SCT, while winning the Shore Conference A North division title.

Meanwhile, St. Rose continues to grow as a program, finishing second among Shore Conference schools at the MCT – Allentown won the team title – and emerged as the only team to beat Holmdel in a regular season match.

Southern emerged as the top team in Ocean County, winning the county title and placing fifth at the SCT, while emerging as the A South division champs.

FINAL GIRLS GOLF TOP 5

1. Holmdel (12-1)

2. Marlboro (10-0)

3. St. Rose (10-2)

4. Rumson-Fair Haven (9-3)

5. Southern (13-2)