Victor senior Brody Burgess sunk his record-setting 18-foot putt on Monroe Golf Club’s ninth hole. It was a much tougher shot than he expected, though.
Burgess broke Victor’s program record and tied the Monroe Golf Club course mark after shooting six-under par 30 while helping the Blue Devils (5-0) win a match against Penfield, Pittsford Sutherland and Irondequoit on April 21. Burgess shares the Monroe Golf Club record with Sutherland’s Owen Corby, who shot six-under par in 2023.
“I gave a fist pump. It was a cool moment. But I could’ve made it easier on myself,” said Burgess, the 2023 All-Greater Rochester Boys Golfer of the Year.
‘Stay calm’
Burgess’ scorecard had more circles than a tic-tac-toe board. His scores were 3-4-4-3-3-3-4-2-4. Burgess birdied six times through the front nine, sinking putts on the first, third, fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth holes. He parred the other three holes.
Burgess said his previous best Section V score was a 33 on four birdies at Victor’s home course, Ravenwood Golf Club, in 2023.
On April 21, Burgess birdied the par-3 eighth hole to set himself up for an “easy” ninth hole to at least tie the Victor record. However, a “poor” shot into a sand dune almost ruined his opportunity. A chip shot onto the green gave Burgess a chance at an 18-foot birdie shot. Burgess took extra time to concentrate on the record-setting putt, and he nailed it.
“I was doing my best to write down scores and not pay attention to it. It can get to your head. I just tried to stay calm,” Burgess said.
Everyone knew how well Burgess was performing, but he remainined focus. Burgess conquered holes he’s struggled with his entire career. Like the par-4 fifth hole. Golfers can’t see the green from the tee, but Burgess began the hole with two “great” shots before his birdie putt. He was even satisifed shooting par on the 190-yard sixth hole.
“I never birdied that hole before. It’s like stealing two or three shots,” Burgess said about Monroe Golf Club’s fifth hole.
Victor Blue Devils
Victor’s reigning Section V champion Blue Devils won the match with 191 strokes. Penfield (193), Sutherland (212) and Irondequoit (227) all shot well. Burgess has been one of the area’s top golfers for years. In 2023, he placed second overall while helping Section V win the state championship. Last year, Burgess placed fourth as Section V placed third at the state tournament.
Victor has won Section V Class AA championships in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Burgess is also a Section V basketball champion.
“This team is a lot different. We’ve always had six really good golfers. Me and Colin Barber have been on varsity for year. Many guys are new or from junior varsity. That makes for a nice challenge this year,” Burgess said.
— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports and Syracuse University athletics. He’s won numerous Associated Press and NYNPA awards for his work in print and broadcasting throughout his 15-year career as a reporter. Follow him @MarquelSports and X and Instagram. You can email him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.
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