SJR Golf: Back in the Swing of Things

Perfection is hard to replicate, but the SJR Golf team is looking to do just that in 2026.

Last year, the Green Knights went 23-0, won nine team tournaments, had nine individual tournament winners, were state champions, and were considered one of the best teams the Garden State has ever witnessed.

“They're self-motivated to do it again,” said Head Coach Kevin Rooney.

“They want to prove that it was not a fluke, and they could do it again. So it’s telling themselves that they can do it.”

This season, the Green Knights are returning a strong core of golfers from their 2025 campaign.

At the front of the core, the Green Knights return sophomore Rory Asselta. As a freshman in 2025, Asselta delivered a historic year, capturing the program’s first individual state title with an 8-under performance, the lowest score in state history relative to par. He earned first-team All-State, first-team All-Big North, first-team All-North Jersey, and first-team All-Bergen County honors. On the course, Asselta averaged a 68.6 in 18-hole tournaments and a 35.1 on the front nine.

“I think last year I played really well, but there's definitely some room to improve, and I think this year could be even better,” said Rory Asselta.

“(Rory) sets the tone. When the bar is set so high, all the kids play, and all the other guys play better,” said Coach Rooney.

“So, just having him on the team and being a role model, an example for all the other guys, whether they're younger than them or older than them. It's fantastic.”

Accompanied by Rory is his brother Michael, a senior captain and Loyola Maryland signee. The 2-time first team All-State (2024, 2025) senior finished top five in eight tournaments in 2025, headlined by a first-place finish in the Green Knight Invitational. His 2025 season also saw him honored with first-team All- Big North, first-team All-North Jersey, and first-team All-Bergen County.

Another key part of the lineup is co-captain junior CJ Antifonario. Last year, Antifonario finished his sophomore year with second-team All-North Jersey and second-team All-Bergen County.

For the rest of the lineup, Coach Rooney has some nice options to fill those gaps.

“We have John Fenton, Austin Solomon, Darren Coyle, and hopefully some freshmen who can step up their game,” said Coach Rooney.

The golf team will be opening up their season down in Myrtle Beach, SC as they get ready for their New Jersey schedule, when they take on North Myrtle Beach High School.

“​​I'm really excited to get back down (to Myrtle Beach),” said Michael Asselta.

“Last year was a super fun time. This year we have a match, so it's going to be a pretty fun week.”

Even with a loaded tournament slate, all eyes for the Green Knights are on May 11, when the NJSIAA state finals provide a chance to finish what they hope is another championship season.

“Getting a chance at one state title doesn't happen very often, but being able to have a shot at it twice is something that's pretty special, and we are going to try and take advantage of it,” said Michael Asselta.

A year removed from perfection, the Green Knights now face their toughest challenge yet, proving they can do it all over again.

The Green Knights face North Myrtle Beach High School on March 27 and begin New Jersey play on March 30 against Paramus Catholic.