Chen captures second straight individual crown
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Jen Jones knows there will be plenty of great battles this year between her Montgomery High girls golf team and their rivals from Ridge.
The latest battle went to the Cougars as they captured the Somerset County Tournament by three strokes over the Red Devils on Monday at Neshanic Valley Golf Course.
”If you go back to the prior week, they came to our tournament at Cherry Valley and beat us by one stroke,” Jones said. “That was a Tuesday and then on that Thursday in our dual match we beat them by one. So it is very tight between the two teams. Fortunately, we brought our best game for the dual match and the county tournament.
”At our tournament we were not at our best and neither were they. But in the dual match we played to our lowest score ever. We shot a 161 total. Our previous match record had been 163.”
Alice Chen led the Cougars as she shot a 69 to claim her third straight individual county title. Madison Beer shot an 81 to finish third individually. As a team, Montgomery shot a 327, which was three shots better than Ridge. Alison Hering shot an 88 and Megan McDonald added an 89 to round out the top four for the Cougars.
”Every one of them had a goal and met their goal,” Jones said. “I am not sure Alice did because she always wants to lower the bar and shoot her best. She shot a 69, but I am sure she wanted to do better. But each of the girls have set goals and now I have asked them to reset their goals.
”Not everyone had their personal best, but it was what their goals were. Megan wanted to shoot in the 80s. Allison wanted to shoot in the 80s. Madison was hoping for the high 70s and she shot an 81. It was a good day for us.”
The Cougars came into the season with lofty goals and their play in the first part of the season has given every indication that they will be able to attain them.
”It is a credit to them,” Jones said. “They saw the future and possibility that this year could be their year to be state champs. Our top six and further put in the time over the summer. They played in tournaments and they know it is not just a spring season. I have told them the difference between good teams and great teams is that good teams win matches and great teams win championships. And that takes the extra time they have put in.
”They put in the time all summer long at Cherry Valley. Some of them were already members and some of them joined. They are putting in the time and that is making all the difference in the world.”
The Cougars will not see Ridge on the same course again until the Skyland Conference Tournament. Montgomery will play in the state sectional tournament in South Jersey, while Ridge is in North Jersey, which means the teams’ only other possible meeting would be in the Tournament of Champions, which will be held this year at Cherry Valley Country Club.