The 2026 OCIAA boys golf tournament is set to tee off on Tuesday, May 12, at the historic Powelton Club in Newburgh, serving as a key qualifier for the Section 9 championships. With 46 competitors vying for a spot in the next round, the action promises to be intense from the first swing.

The tournament kicks off with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., meaning all groups will begin play simultaneously across the course. Leading the charge on Hole No. 1 is a star-studded foursome featuring Max Perlman (Burke), Josh Yan (Newburgh), Kaiden Lothrop (Pine Bush), and Shaun Kunisch (Warwick). These four are among the top golfers to watch, with Yan entering as the defending OCIAA champion after his impressive 72 at West Point Golf Club last season.

The remaining groups will fan out across the course, with ten foursomes and three threesomes (starting on Hole No. 11) all aiming for a top-29 finish to advance to sectionals. The Section 9 tournament is scheduled for May 18 and May 20 at the West Point Golf Course, with state finals set for June 7-8 at Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville.

For those keeping an eye on local talent, last year's OCIAA title came down to the wire as Yan edged out Minisink Valley's Chris Rickard by just one stroke. Yan later dominated the Section 9 tournament, winning by three strokes over Roosevelt's Ike Rothman. This year's field includes strong contenders like Luke Skarkas of Monroe-Woodbury, who finished third in last year's OCIAA, and Pine Bush's Kaiden Lothrop, who has been making waves this season.

Here's a look at the full pairings for the May 12 event:

Hole No. 1 – Max Perlman (Burke), Josh Yan (Newburgh), Kaiden Lothrop (Pine Bush), Shaun Kunisch (Warwick)
Hole No. 2 – Jacob Perlman (Burke), Charles Spaulding (Cornwall), Matthew Tondini (Goshen), Matt Murtaugh (Minisink Valley)
Hole No. 3 – Kyle Howell (Pine Bush), Austin Hand (Kingston), Keegan Smith (Goshen), Fred Lyson (Monroe-Woodbury)
Hole No. 4 – Caleb Hoag (Valley Central), Will Roome (Warwick), John Falzon (Minisink Valley), Josh Bujno (Monroe-Woodbury)
Hole No. 5 – Ben Danielson (Minisink Valley), Luke Skarkas (Monroe-Woodbury), Jim Kelly (Goshen), Gavin Thomas (Ro

For fans and players alike, this tournament is a crucial step on the road to the state finals. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the competition at Powelton Club is sure to deliver memorable moments. Stay tuned for results and highlights as the season progresses.