The George School golf team completed a remarkable season, undefeated in the Friends League, by capturing the FSL Championship at the challenging Jeffersonville Golf Club. Competing on the Donald Ross-designed par-70 layout, the Cougars posted an outstanding team score of 338, finishing five strokes clear of defending champion Friends Central (343).

As a team, George School averaged under 85 on a demanding course where only seven of the 28 competitors broke that mark, an impressive indicator of both the course difficulty and the Cougars’ depth. That depth proved crucial, as the team’s first three scorers finished slightly higher than expected: sophomore Rayan Shah ’28, last year’s individual champion, shot an 84 to tie for fifth; junior Jack Forstein ’27 carded an 88; and senior Lucas Zhang ’26 posted a 90. With those scores in, George School trailed Friends Central by six strokes, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Inside the clubhouse, the three early finishers could hardly watch as senior Owen Major ’26, George School’s final player on the course, made his way to the closing holes.

A four-year letterman who had often contributed as a steady supporting scorer, Major delivered the round of his career when it mattered most. He calmly parred the final hole to finish with a 76, tying for the lowest score of the tournament and besting Friends Central’s fourth scorer by 11 strokes. In a dramatic swing, Major turned a six-shot deficit into a five-stroke victory, securing the championship for the Cougars.

“Owen’s round was extraordinary,” said Head Coach Paul Machemer. “He stepped up with a career-best performance and delivered exactly when we needed it most.”

The win marks George School’s first FSL title since 2018, when Natasha Kiel ’18 led the Cougars with a tournament low round of 71. This year’s championship performance reinforces the program’s return to the top and caps what stands as one of its strongest seasons in the past decade. The team posted exceptional scores throughout the spring, including 158 and 152 at Middletown and 154 at Laurel Creek, consistently demonstrating elite balance across the lineup.

The Cougars’ success also reflected strong development throughout the season, supported by the work of assistant coach Bradd Forstein ’93, whose instruction, along with the addition of a new swing analysis simulator, helped players sharpen their mechanics and perform at their best down the stretch.

Key contributions came from throughout the roster over the course of the season. In a decisive dual match against Friends' Central at Bala, Florence Madurzak '28 delivered a clutch moment, draining a putt to complete a 43 and erase a Central lead, another example of the team’s composure in critical moments.

“This was a total team effort and a testament to the depth of this group,” said Paul. “Even when our early scores put us behind, the team stayed composed and never lost confidence. Throughout the season, we saw contributions from everyone, including key moments like Florence’s clutch putt, and the steady improvement across the lineup made this a truly special team.”