It was the first Sayville team to ever win a state championship! A team of six high school students. They were sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Their field was the golf course at Island Hills in Sayville.
Two historic golf designers designed the course. The first was Herbert Strong, who designed the first nine holes in 1915. The second nine and improvements were added by A.W. Tillinghast in 1927. Tillinghast already has one national historic golf course (Baltusrol Golf Club), seems like Sayville could have petitioned it as a historic monument with two such historic golf designers.
The “pro” Pat Stamile was a high school superstar himself. He started back in the 30s playing for Lawrence High. He won many tournaments and became the pro at Island Hills. He had two sons, Pat & Stan. Both sons were amazing golfers.
Stan Stamile was on the 1963 golf team, which became the first Sayville State Champions.
Also on the championship team were Ronnie Pape, Billy Wurm, Dick Perrott, Warren Koutnik & Barry Plesser.
That year, the team had won the leagues and the counties. Stan Stamile won the individual county championship.
The team made it to the state finals In May 1963. On the day of the 36 hole tournament, everyone was confident in a good day led by Stan. But golf being golf, there are good days and bad. Sadly, Stan had a less than great day. But fortunately for Sayville, they had a deep bench and many talented players.
Ron Pape, a lefty golfer, came through having a great day. He wound up sixth overall in the State, leading the team to victory. Bill Wurm also had a great day coming in an eighth in the Stare championship.
Fortunately for the team heading into the last nine holes, Stan came back with a winning nine holes. The team beat the competition (Port Jarvis) by six strokes.
So what became of this championship team—
Stan Stamile became a pro. Heading to Florida and the Tampa area.
Ronnie Pape joined the army, was a helicopter pilot, and served in Vietnam.
Dick Perrott & Warren Koutnik have both passed away.
Billy Wurm went on to Suffolk Community College. He married and had a family he raised in Sayville. His son carried on the athletic family tradition in football. He’s remarried now living in South Setauket.
Barry Plesser went off to serve with honors in Vietnam. Bronze star, among other awards. When he returned home, he served on the Suffolk county police force. A helicopter pilot. Living in Florida.
Mr. McClaskey, the coach, joined the administration team for Sayville public schools. Mr. Anthony Gamboli became the new golf coach in 1966. Mr. Gamboli’s amazing tenure as one of the most winning coaches in Sayville History began.
Sadly, Mr. McClaskey died at the young age of 58.
The diversity and accomplishments of the 1963 team mirror many skilled teams that have played in Sayville. Devoted teammates and players they all played a part, they all became a part of Sayville High history –
The first team ever to win a State Championship!!!
Some would say golf — pish pish it’s not a real sport.
But then…….
“On the 72nd hole, he (Billy) had a 40’ putt to break 80 and shoot 79 for the first time, a round of his life. When that ball dropped —there was almost as much elation as when the wheels of my 707 touched the runway in Seattle 5/24/68 after 1 yr in Vietnam- Back in The World—“
That was Barry Plesser describing the final putt of Billy Wurm in the New York State Golf Championship.
That’s what a golfer thinks about golf—miracles, pure joy, total satisfaction—any golfer can relate.
Yes, the first Sayville Team to win a State Championship !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBUMkRnCU3Q&t=4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y_lhUYci2w
www.ancestry.com
Special thanks to Barry Plesser& Bill Wurm for all your help!!!!
Thank you Hal Brown!
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