Brothers Take Top Spots in Section 9 Golf

Newburgh golfers Mark Yan and his younger brother, Josh, finished first and second at the Section 9 boys’ golf championships on June 2 at Stony Ford Golf Course. The Goldbacks have been golfing since they were younger, but started off by playing hockey. Mark and Josh were hockey players at ages 7 and 5 when their stepfather introduced them to golf, a sport that appealed to them and for which they were a better fit due to their smaller size. 

The brothers went into the final match knowing that they wanted to place 1 and 2, but would have been pleased with either spot. They find themselves to be more supportive than competitive with one another, coaching or giving pointers to help the other do their best. 

“My goal for this year was to do good at states because I expected myself to get to states because I know how I’m playing,” Mark Yan said. “But COVID hit and that really stunk, but we were lucky to have a golf season. Once we found out we would have sections, I thought I had a good chance of winning it.”
Josh, meanwhile, had less lofty expectations.

“For my first, year, it was a good experience, I wanted to try it out and see how I would do,” Josh said. “I didn’t expect myself to win sections. I hoped I did, but I didn’t think I was going to because I was playing with seniors, sophomores and older kids. I think this year was more of an experience year.”

Right now, they’re focused on what’s ahead as they have two big tournaments coming up over the summer. The first is the Dutchess County Amateur Tournament in the middle of July and then, they have the World Championship tournament in July, which brings about 100 kids from around the world.

Mark attends NFA Main Campus and Josh attends South Middle School. 

A full article about the Mark and Josh Yan can be found in the Mid-Hudson Times: Newburgh brothers take top spots in Section 9 golf 

Congratulations to our athletes! 

The NFA Boys Golf team is coached by Coach Zach Williams. 

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