By Julliana Bravo
At Inwood Country Club you can hear the jets of airplanes taking off at JFK International Airport just north of the first tee. But somehow, the cheers and chirps between players of the FDNY and NYPD golf teams seemed to overpower the sound of those engines on the first day of the inaugural Sentinel Cup.
The sports rivalry between “New York’s Bravest” and “New York’s Finest” runs deep, from sold-out crowds for their hockey game at UBS Arena to high-energy basketball games at Barclays Center. This year, the rivalry has a new addition with the Sentinel Cup, a two-day match play event that made its debut at Inwood and Bethpage Black (yes, the Bethpage Black that’s set to host the upcoming Ryder Cup).
The FDNY Golf Team began three years ago when a few guys gathered to play a round of golf. Joe Felder, president of the FDNY team, said he never dreamed of the team growing so quickly and the development of an event of this caliber. On the other side, the NYPD Golf Team – led by President Sean Haas – started with a few board members, but now it’s spread to the rest of the force. Both teams are proudly MGA Member Clubs.
Though the teams were excited for the competition, with their time one the course, it’s not always about winning. On both sides, golf serves as a tool and an outlet to get outside and enjoy time with others.
“The club was started on the main interpretation of having guys getting out to escape the realities of the job, help with mental health, and be outside for a few hours a day,” says Felder. Haas reports similarly, saying that he’s glad that officers turn to the golf course to improve their mental health and wellness.
The first day at Inwood included both Four-Ball and Foursome (alternate shot) matches that counted for a half-point apiece, with FDNY earning a three-point edge at day’s end.
Day Two turned to Bethpage Black – some Ryder Cup structures already in place – where an introduction ceremony set up singles matches for the competition’s finale. The closeness of the matches emphasized the level of competition between the teams. Each match counted for a full point on the final day, with the NYPD squad winning the day, 10-6, to complete the come-from-behind victory by a final margin of 23.5-22.5.
During the competition, both sides had crowds of spectators ready to cheer for a birdie putt or provide encouragement after a hole was lost. While the moments shared and memories made stand stronger than the final score that was posted, in the spirit of friendly rivalry, it certainly doesn’t hurt to win and have the bragging rights for a year.