By Jimmy Allinder
If the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) boys’ golf tournament was contested on the back nine instead of the entire 18-hole Palmer Course at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, Brandon Wei would have had the best score.
However, the East Brunswick High School junior, who carded a 37 on the last nine holes, shot a 42 on the front nine to finish with a 79 to place fourth May 18.
The sophomore hoped for a better result when he teed off at Hopewell Valley Country Club May 22 during the high school season-ending New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) championships. Wei placed fourth among Group IV golfers a year ago.
“I just want to play well and be happy with my score,” Wei said after his round at the GMCs. “What hurt [today] was getting a seven on the Par 4 eighth [hole]. Take that away, and I was pretty satisfied with my round.”
Wei has another season of high school eligibility but will be busy this summer and fall at junior events. His goal is to continue playing golf in college and earn a degree in liberal arts, although the senior is an excellent student and may choose to matriculate at an Ivy League school even if he doesn’t play golf.
East Brunswick finished in third place (345) in the tournament behind Old Bridge High School (332) and South Brunswick High School (344). In addition to Wei’s 79, the Bears were aided by Justin Yu’s 87, Eagan McDermott’s 88 and Jeremy Steenvoorden’s 91.
Monroe Township High School’s Rob Cocorikis placed sixth with an 81 and combined with Adithya Palekar (86), Tanay Mandala (89) and Rayan Yousafzai (93) to help the Falcons finish fifth in the team standings.
East Brunswick (14-4 overall, 12-3 Red Division) finished second to Old Bridge in the regular season, while Monroe (13-4 overall, 11-4 Red Division) was third.
Spotswood High School (12-5 overall, 8-4 Blue Division) finished third in its division.