Francisco "Ceko" Cupp of Saratoga Springs hits a chip shot during the Section 2 state qualifier on Wednesday at Fairways of Halfmoon in Mechanicville. (Jim Franco/Times Union) Pete Dougherty Wed, October 14, 2026 at 11:40 PM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MECHANICVILLE - Golf may be viewed as an individual sport, but the top competitors Wednesday in the Section 2 state qualifier were more immersed into the team outlook.
The top priority was the state squad. The top nine scorers over the 36-hole competition - which began Tuesday - at Fairways of Halfmoon advanced to the state tournament, to be played June 6 and 7 at the Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville.
There also were the various high schools represented. Francisco "Ceko" Cupp, a sophomore at Saratoga Springs, won medalist honors with a 4-under-par 140, but he seemed to be more enthused that three of his Blue Streaks teammates - Elliot Meyers (151), Michael Hakewell (155) and Matthew Nawrot (156) - will accompany him to states.
"Medalist is cool," said Cupp, who finished fourth at states last season, "but it was just more focused on the team aspect, trying to get more of us on the states bus."
Cupp ended the two-year medalist reign of Ichabod Crane senior Tanner LaTorre, who was six shots behind the sophomore after the first round. LaTorre shot a 1-under 71 Wednesday and finished second, five strokes behind Cupp.
"I tried my hardest to try and catch Ceko, but my putting was not it today," said LaTorre, who will attend the University of Rhode Island next year. "I think I played well. It was just some things that didn't go my way, but whatever, I qualified, and that's all that matters."
Also making the state team were Ryden Klatt of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (149), Matthew Salvadore of Mechanicville (149), Tyler Bowers of Shenendehowa (150) and Nicky Jadav of Shaker (158).
Jadav got the final berth, beating Chase Pfeiffenberger of Guilderland on the first hole of a playoff. Pfeiffenberger and Cole Whitman of Saratoga Springs (159) are the alternates.
LaTorre, thanks in part to an eagle on the par-5 seventh, got to within three of Cupp a couple of times during the round but couldn't close the gap any further.
"I was getting closer to Ceko, but I was just out there having fun," he said. "I wasn't really thinking of where I was. I obviously wanted to win, but just went out there with a free mind."
It will be the fourth trip to states for LaTorre, who has trophies from the 2025 International Junior Masters and the 2024 New York State Golf Association 14U Junior Championship. At states, he was 22nd as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and 25th as a junior.
Cupp will be at the state tournament for a third time. He was 42nd as an eighth-grader and fourth last year.
"I know that course pretty well," he said. "I've played four rounds in tournaments there. I'm looking forward to that. It's going to be a lot of fun."
Francisco Cupp (Saratoga Springs) 68-72-140
Matthew Salvadore (Mechanicville) 76-73-149
Elliot Meyers (Saratoga Springs) 75-76-151
Michael Hakewill (Saratoga Springs) 79-76-155
Matthew Nawrot (Saratoga Springs) 78-78-156
Chase Pfeiffenberger (Guilderland) 82-76-158
Cole Whitman (Saratoga Springs) 81-78-159
Matteo Dambrocia (Voorheesville) 84-78-162
Wyatt Dolinsky (Saratoga Springs) 81-82-163
Cole Cefalu (Saratoga Catholic) 78-86-164
Palmer Tomkinson (Saratoga Springs) 81-88-169
Andreas Amedore (Voorheesville) 81-89-170
Justin Goddin (Scotia-Glenville) 90-82-172
Aiden Gibilaro (South Glens Falls) 84-88-172
Nico Galante (Coxsackie-Athens) 84-90-174
Brady VanVoast (Broadalbin-Perth) 103-98-201
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This article originally published at Saratoga Springs' Cupp wins Section 2 boys' golf state qualifier .
Source: Sports
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