Great Neck girls golf makes history as Long Island’s first state champion

The Great Neck girls golf team made history on June 8 at Wild Wood Country Club in Rush, New York, by winning Long Island’s first New York State girls golf team championship since the event began in 2019. The victory capped a dominant season, including their seventh consecutive Nassau County title and sixth straight Long Island championship, marking the culmination of years of hard work by players and coach Matt Corrigan. Coach Corrigan, who has led the program for 18 years, described the win as the fulfillment of a long-standing goal after two previous runner-up finishes at the state tournament. The team entered the final round trailing by five strokes but rallied with strong performances, particularly from seniors Caylin Wong and Lia Huang. Wong carded a 1-under-par 71, while other teammates significantly improved their scores, securing the team’s victory. The team’s success was built on perseverance and teamwork, with Huang and Wong emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mentorship among players. Huang, who will attend Georgetown University to study neurobiology, noted that high school golf taught her the sport’s team-oriented nature, while Wong, heading to Cornell for information science, highlighted the behind-the-scenes effort that defines their program. Corrigan avoided checking the leaderboard during the final round but eventually allowed himself to celebrate as signs pointed to a Great Neck win. The team’s relief and joy were palpable, with players celebrating with hugs, photos, and ice cream after securing the historic title. The championship marks the end of a six-year journey for Huang and Wong, who joined the varsity team as seventh graders and will now carry their experiences into college.