Allentown's Argondizza a sudden death winner at JGA tournament

FARMINGDALE - A sudden-death playoff broke a three-way tie in Junior Golf America's latest tournament at Howell Park.

In the 16-18-year-old masters division, Mike Argondizza of Allentown birdied the first hole of sudden death to earn the victory. The Allentown High School junior finished with a round of 77 that included three birdies in regulation.

Finishing right behind him were Manalapan High School 11th-grader Patrick DiLeo and Colts Neck High School junior Nick Polvino.

Pete Inglese, a Colts Neck High School student, and Matt Caughey, of Spring Lake Heights and Manasquan High School, topped the 14-15-year-old masters division with scores of 79. Inglese then edged Caughey in a sudden-death playoff. Finishing close behind with an 82 was Somerset resident Eric Steinberg, a student at Franklin High School.

In the 14-15-year-old players division, Steven Wilf, of Livingston and Newark Academy, and Casey Schuld, of East Brunswick and Churchill Junior High School, finished first with scores of 85. Wilf said a highlight of his performance was the 16th hole, where he had a solid chip and single putt for par. Schuld said using a three-wood on the back nine helped his performance. Logan Connaughton of Matawan finished third with an 87.

Finishing first in the 12-13-year-old division with a 90 was Keith Burkard, a Ramsey seventh-grader who attends the Smith School. Ryan Biery of Chester and Black River Middle School finished second with a 99.

In the 10-11-year-old players division, D. Nathan Biery of Chester finished first with a 49, followed by Kevin Reis with a 50 and Eric Monticello with a 53.

The Toyota and Lexus-sponsored Junior Golf America, the Northeast region's largest junior golf organization, continues its busy summer season with a July 5 tournament at Cranbury Golf Course in West Windsor, followed by a July 10 tournament at Eagle Ridge in Lakewood.

To register with Junior Golf America or for more information, log on to www.jrgolfamerica.com, e-mail jrgolfamerica@aol.com or call (732) 683-9042.