OCC Golf Takes 3rd at Region XIX Championship; Kerley, Bodziak Advance to Nationals

OCC Golf Takes 3rd at Region XIX Championship; Kerley, Bodziak Advance to Nationals
Posted: May 03, 2022

Toms River, NJ - The Ocean County College Golf Team finished their strong 2022 campaign on another high note yesterday (5/3), placing 3rd at the NJCAA's Region XIX Championship at Ash Brook Golf Club in Scotch Plains, Union County. Represented by Josh Kerley, Phil Antoniotti, Dane Bodziak and Matt Heberling, the Vikings shot a season-best 366 in Monday's first round, and their combined 2-round total of 744 placed them just 16 strokes behind runner up RCSJ Gloucester County and the defending champion County College of Morris.

Medalist Trevor Pedrazzi led the way for Morris' Titans, carding remarkable rounds of 76 and 74 to fire a six-over-par 36 hole total of just 150 shots. Ocean's Kerley, meanwhile went low with a fine first round 83 to tie for 2nd place overall going into Round 2 and placed 10th overall to make the All-Region XIX 2nd team. Kerley's performance earned him a trip to next month's NJCAA Division III National Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club in New York, starting on June 6. Kerley led the Vikings with a 2-round low total of 178 strokes with teammate Bodziak, who also played well, and placed 11th overall, just 4 shots back. Bodziak, by placing in the first spot just outside the top 10 players, is Region XIX's alternate for next month's NJCAA D-III Finals. Antoniotti, meanwhile, rebounded resiliently from a rough first day to place 12th right with Bodziak. 

The Vikings' 10th, 11th and 12th place showing won OCC their fourth 3rd Place tournament finish of the 2022 season. "I think the boys played extremely well, once again, on yet another golf course they've never played on before," said OCC Golf Head Coach Sean Fawcett. "We hung with Gloucester stroke-by-stroke every step of the way, coming within just 2 on the final round while starting out with our single best day of the whole season, 366, on day 1. Josh, Phil, Dane and Matt competed with Region XIX's very best and represented Ocean County College with distinction. They worked hard and they comported themselves with tremendous positivity and sportsmanship. I am extremely proud of them and all we've been able to accomplish this year."