Medina’s first golf title was a G-O crown

Contributed Photo – Tom Morien, putting, and Tom Moriarty helped Medina capture its first league golf championship in 1967.

Medina High has enjoyed plenty of success over the years in Niagara-Orleans League golf competition having captured the title 14 times since 1976 including the last three in a row.

However, Medina’s first links title came as a member of the newly formed Genesee-Orleans Golf League in 1967.

Coach Chuck Mancuso’s Mustangs compiled a perfect 10-0 record to take top honors in the six team league which included fellow N-O members Albion and Roy-Hart along with Kendall, Batavia and LeRoy.

Seniors Greg Lewis and Roy Powell, along with junior Tom Morien and sophomore Tom Moriarty took turns earning medalist honors during the season for the Mustangs whose other point-getters included juniors Gary Hill, Rick Fox and Larry Pratt.

The Mustangs closest call of the season was a narrow 5 1/2-4 1/2 win over Roy-Hart. Powell took medalist honors with a 43 as 45’s by Morien and Moriarty to lead the way off setting rounds of 45 by the Roy-Hart duo of Ted Broom and Jim Slattery.

Medina locked up the title with back-to-back late season wins over rival Albion.

First, Medina clinched at least a tie for the title by downing Albion 8-2 at Shelridge as Morien and Powell led the way with rounds of 42. John Root led Albion with a 43.

The Mustangs then locked up the title by besting Albion 8 1/2-1 1/2 at Oak Orchard as Lewis and Moriarty fired their best rounds of the season with 39’s to set the pace. Pratt, Powell and Morien each chipped in with a 46. Root and John Mack also both cared rounds of 39 to lead Albion.

Medina capped off its 10-0 season with an 8-2 win over Roy-Hart. Moriarty led the way with a 40 while Powell had a 43 and Lewis and Pratt 44’s. Broom shared medalist honors for the Rams with a 40.

The Mustangs went on to repeat as league champions in 1968 with a 10-2 record.