Blue Devil Boys’ Golf in Suffolk Final Four Today

The league champion Huntington boys’ golf team will play in the Suffolk Final Four on Monday morning. The third seeded Blue Devils will tee off against No. 7 Northport at 8 a.m. at Spring Lake Country Club in Middle Island. The winner will play for the county championship in the afternoon against the winner of No. 1 Riverhead vs. No. 4 Ward Melville.

Huntington (12-0) advanced to the Final Four with a convincing 8-1 victory over No. 6 Sachem (11-1) at the Huntington Crescent Club, the Blue Devils’ home course.

In its match against Sachem, Huntington was facing the undefeated League I champion and the battle between the two teams was somewhat nerve-wracking for Blue Devil head coach Michael Marinello.

“The journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable,” Marinello said. “With an unbeaten record, the team, led by captain Nick Sclafani and Will Fallon, showcased some great high school golfers.”

Sclafani and Fallon are joined in the starting lineup by Declan Kehoe, Thomas Girimonti, Chase Gadaire and Jake Severine. “They’ve all made pivotal contributions to our success,” Marinello said.

Marinello and volunteer assistant Robert Colvin pointed to the Huntington Crescent Club as their partner in the team’s championship run. “The support we have received head pro Patrick McCarthy and the Huntington Crescent Club’s membership has played a crucial role, providing an extra boost of motivation for the team,” Marinello said.

Known for its challenging course, the Huntington Crescent Club has provided the perfect backdrop for the Blue Devils’ exceptional performance this fall.

After winning the league title with a perfect record, Huntington was seeded third in the county tournament and was given a first round bye in the playoff bracket. “That gave us home course advantage, which proved instrumental to defeating two highly talented teams in East Hampton and Sachem.”

Huntington spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday practicing at the Huntington Crescent Club. The team was due to leave for the county finals on Monday at 5:45 a.m.

“I’m proud of the boys for continuing to grind every practice and every match,” Sclafani said. “I had a rough start to my match against Sachem, but I was able to stay calm and get back in it and eventually win. I was able to do that because I knew the boys had my back.”

Huntington will be facing a tough and talented opponent in Northport. The Blue Devils will need to be on their game to advance.

“Golf championships in Suffolk are unique in their format as the entire county competes in the same tournament, resulting in one singular champion,” Marinello said. “Making it to the Final Four is a monumental accomplishment, given the high level of competition and the demanding nature of the sport.”

The community has rallied behind the Blue Devils, including the Huntington Crescent Club’s membership. “It’s been a great ride,” Marinello said.