AHA Golfers Earn Rare Triple Crown, Finish Second in State

The varsity golfers from the Academy of the Holy Angels just completed a lights-out, first-ever undefeated season (14-0 in overall league play) that included an elusive triple crown. The Angels are now league champions, Big North champions, and AHA’s first Bergen County AND State Sectional champions. On May 16, the Angels finished second in the state, and Angelina Kim of Tenafly finished third in the state as an individual. The team includes Kim, ’25; Sharanya Agarwal of West New York, ’25; Sidney Chung of Cresskill, ’24; Inha Jun of Edgewater, ’25; and Amelia Shen of Demarest, ‘23.

“We won our division title with a perfect 10-0 record in the division and finished our overall league season with a record of 14-0,” AHA Varsity Golf Coach Patrick Dunne recapped. “That is the first time we have had an undefeated season. We defeated Bergen Tech during the season and that was a big win as Bergen Tech had not lost a season match in almost two years. Our win over Immaculate Heart at Ridgewood Country Club was also special. We won the Big North Tournament for only the second time and won the Bergen County and State Sectional title for the first time in school history.”

Asked if he had envisioned this type of success, Dunne said, “During tryouts I saw that there was definitely talent there and I knew that we would compete in our division. Winning the league tournament, followed by the Counties and the State Sectional was not expected. The triple crown is a very hard thing to accomplish.”

During his two decades as golf coach, Dunne’s teams have always been competitive. The Angels won the Big North, earned several division titles, and made several trips to the state finals. Dunne said some of his teams with stars like Kelly Sim (who won three individual state titles), Erica Repetto, Terry Ra, Meredith Dwyer, Sam Han, Kirstyn Barsola, and others greatly contributed to AHA’s program.

“Some of my best memories are playing golf with my dad,” Dunne said. “The best part of coaching golf is the sportsmanship the girls show…The game teaches sportsmanship and integrity since there is no ref or umpire. The girls are on their own and are expected to be honest with their scores and their game.

“This has been a very special season and what the girls accomplished this year is amazing. Since the girls are very young and have years left in their high school careers, we hope our success will continue.”

Sidney Chung has been playing golf for about five years. Her family enjoys the game, and she decided to join AHA’s team and learn more.

“I improved a lot this season and I was really happy to see my work pay off and see my scores being contributed to help win a match,” said Chung, who joined AHA’s team as a freshman. “I’m really happy with how far we made it and it’s rewarding to see everyone’s hard work pay off.”

Sharanya Agarwal has been golfing since she was 10, and joined AHA’s team to gain experience.

“My personal highlight from this season has to be winning fourth place at the Big North Tournament,” Agarwal said. “I am so proud of my team and I actually had a lot of faith in us. Based on the team’s skills, I know that we can be proud of what we accomplished and be ready for more.”

Angelina Kim started playing golf eight years ago, when she caught her family’s passion for the sport. Her latest accomplishments include being the co-champion of the Big North (league) Championship, shooting a round of 71; finishing in second place in the Bergen County Championship, shooting a round of 76; and finishing in first place in State Sectionals at Great Gorge, shooting a round of 74.

“I placed third individually at State Championships, shooting a round of 74, leading the AHA golf team to the second place title as a team for the state champs.”

Amelia Shen, who has played competitive golf since middle school, was delighted with her second consecutive top three finish at the Big North Tournament (shooting 73 last year, and 75 this year). She also enjoyed AHA’s win over Bergen Tech, whose members include her sister Emma.

“Our team also has a really great dynamic which I believe added to our success. Thank you to Mr. Dunne for being a great coach!” Shen added.

Inha Jun agrees that she and her team share a special bond. “We had an outstanding and balanced performance from every teammate. Everyone stepped up when we needed one another,” she noted.

Jun was also inspired to pick up a golf club after watching her father play. She started at age five.

“We would travel all over the world to play different golf courses and I was amazed by the unique swing and different strategies to approach a hole,” she said. “I was influenced by the determination and positive mindset one should have on every shot.”

An ankle injury kept Jun from playing golf for three years, but she was able to resume her sport during the pandemic, when she practiced on her own and learn from every shot.

“I am very proud of my team and teammates for this great accomplishment,” Jun added. “Our ability to come this far just motivates us to go even further for the next coming seasons. Go, Angels!”