Friends Academy's Charles Nevin wins Nassau golf title
Charles Nevin of Friends Academy reacts after sinking a putt on the 18th hole at Bethpage Red to win the Nassau boys golf individual championship on Wednesday. Credit: James Escher
With nerves rattling and a two-shot lead on the final hole, Charles Nevin found himself in a fairway bunker — his first of the day. But with the Nassau title on the line, the Friends Academy junior didn’t flinch.
“I wasn’t used to hitting bunker shots,” Nevin said. “But I was confident.”
Nevin played his approach from the bunker to the 18th hole of Bethpage Red and two-putted for par, his confidence carrying him to his first individual county championship Wednesday as he held off a furious charge from Manhasset eighth grader Ethan Yao to cap off a stellar two-day performance.
Nevin shot a 1-under 71 on Bethpage Green on Tuesday, then followed it up with a 2-under 68 on the Red Course to finish at 3-under 139 for the tournament.
“There wasn't really a shot out there that I felt like I couldn't hit,” Nevin said.
He went birdie-birdie-par on holes 16 through 18, navigating a tense final stretch to hold off Yao, who fired the low round of the tournament — a 3-under 67 — to finish just two strokes back at 141.
“I was pretty shaky on the 18th tee,” Nevin said. “But I managed to save par from the fairway bunker. I knew I could make bogey and still win it though Ethan made a great par.”
Yao’s impressive closing round helped Manhasset secure its second straight team title with a total of 765 strokes. Friends Academy finished second with 791.
“I was really proud of how I played today and stayed mentally strong throughout,” Yao said.
His poise and consistency earned praise from senior teammate Evan Fulgieri.
“It’s been an honor to watch Ethan play,” Fulgieri said. “I can’t wait to see how great he’s going to be. He’s setting the standard for all of us.”
For Nevin, the win exceeded his expectations.
“Starting the season, my goal was to make states,” Nevin said. “Winning counties wasn’t something I had in mind. I was just trying to be realistic, but I'm extremely happy with how it turned out.”
Port Washington sophomore Dylan Reyes clinched the final state spot with a clutch 15-foot par putt on the 18th playoff hole, edging South Side’s Scott Bernabeu.
Nevin, Yao, Fulgieri and Reyes will be joined at the state championship June 8–9 at Mill Creek Golf Club in upstate Churchville by Bryan Zhao (Jericho), Domenick Caponi (Plainedge), Ryan Liu (Manhasset), Akash Agarwal (Friends Academy), Ashton Klar (Locust Valley), and Port Washington’s Bryce Karty.
