RCDS Golf
Wildcats Finish Third at FAA Championships; Three Tabbed With All League Honors

One year after winning the Fairchester Athletic Association Championship, the Wildcats finished third behind Brunswick and St. Lukes on a wind-whipped day April 30, at Westchester Country Club.
Rye Country Day’s goal was to repeat as champions in the seven-team field and earn All League honors for as many of their players as possible. But, Brunswick exacted revenge for their one-stroke loss in 2007, winning with a five-man aggregate score of 395 on the par-71 course. St. Lukes finished at 409 and the Wildcats ended up with 414.
Captains Conor McDade and Ryan Coughlin expressed disappointment afterwards about their third-place finish, as did senior Will Hilbert, who led the Wildcats by shooting an 80. “We knew that we needed to play well to win, and none of us were really on our game. Brunswick and St. Lukes did have some very solid scores, so falling to such good players doesn’t make losing as bad. But, I really wanted to win the FAA tournament as a senior, and I am very disappointed that we didn’t.”
Even though they were unable to reach the bar they set in winning the FAA Championship last year, head coach Maryanne Lynch was pleased with what she saw from her Wildcats. “I was very proud of all of them because when they won last year they acted like true champions. And in losing, they lost like champions – and that’s what competition is all about.”
Hilbert, McDade, and McDade’s freshman brother, Colin, all scored in the top eight and were thusly tabbed All League. The McDade brothers each shot an 81, while both Coughlin and Aaron Klimchuk came in at 86. Brian Starker scored an 87. The younger McDade was particularly impressive on the back 9, leading the Wildcats by two strokes with a 37.
“Colin has really come along since last year when he played as an eighth grader,” said his proud older brother Conor. “He’s the most consistent player on our team. We can expect a 40 or 41 out of him every day … at worst. I think he has really benefited from playing against such good competition over the past two years.” He added, “Colin has come a long, long way, and I think his easy-going, level-headed personality helps him to perform on the golf course.”
The All League finishes for Hilbert and the McDade brothers proved that, despite difficult conditions, the Wildcats trudge on and push forward to the best of their abilities. To a man, each player admitted their performance was far from what they were capable of, so it was noteworthy that the team ended up with three All League plaques.
“I was pleased with shooting an 80 and gaining All League honors because the conditions were very tough and the wind made many holes very difficult,” said Hilbert, the unheralded senior. “There were many very good players in the field and being in the top eight is an honor. I am finally becoming more comfortable competing and am able to play better, which I am extremely happy about.”
For the Wildcats, the focus now shifts to finishing the regular season strong, and then the New York State Association of Independent Schools Championships May 17 and 18. Rye Country Day is the defending NYSAIS State Champion.

“I think this loss will make us stronger and I’m confident we’ll put everything we have into the end of our season,” said Hilbert.