Manhasset's Madison Chen wins second Nassau girls golf championship
Madison Chen of Manhasset wins the individual title at the Nassau girls golf individual and team championships on Tuesday at Bethpage Green. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Madison Chen is back on top.
The Manhasset junior captured her second Nassau girls golf individual title in three years on Tuesday, firing a two-day total of 3-over-par 145 across Bethpage Blue and Green courses.
“I knew my time would come again soon,” said Chen, who also won in 2023.
Jericho’s Renna Chang, the 2021 champion, finished four strokes behind Chen, whose resilience and consistency helped secure the title once again.
“I was very steady today, and when I did make mistakes, I was able to bounce back,” said Chen, who opened Day 2 on Bethpage Green with back-to-back bogeys before steadying her round. Her final-round 73 included four birdies and a clutch 33-foot par save on the sixth hole after a mis-hit.
“I shanked it to the right and then I had 95 [yards] in and made a 33-footer for par,” Chen said. “There’s no reason to dwell on one bad shot when I can hit the next one great.”
Chen’s confidence on the greens played a key role in her win.
“Putting used to be one of the weakest parts of my game, but over the past two years I’ve really focused on it and now I think it’s one of the strongest parts of my game,” she said. “Putts were just rolling in this week, so that really set the tone.”
While Chen reigned individually, it was Great Neck District that dominated the team leaderboard, claiming its sixth consecutive Nassau team championship with an 853 stroke total. Roslyn finished second, four strokes behind.
Led by junior Lia Huang, who finished sixth individually with 17-over 159, Great Neck showed its depth and unity once again.
“We have a lot of trust in each other,” Huang said. “Even if one person doesn’t play their best, we don’t put any pressure on them. We cheer each other on and give each other advice and I think that’s what strengthens our team.”
Several players earned spots to represent Nassau at the state championship, scheduled for June 7–8 at The Edison Club in upstate Rexford. Joining Chen, Chang and Huang will be Palwasha Ali (Sewanhaka), Ava Estrella (Friends Academy), Evelyn Chou (Herricks), Caylin Wong (Great Neck District), Lydia Choi (Roslyn), Cherry Wang (Great Neck District), and Lara Cohen (Roslyn).
