The Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association has moved boys’ golf from spring to fall, starting this year, making it a quick turnaround for the Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks.

Newburgh enters the new fall season facing a rebuilding challenge after graduating three Section 9 qualifiers four-time section champion and New York State Public High School Athletic Association contender Josh Yan.

The Goldbacks went 11-2 last season and finished second in OCIAA Division I under now sixth-year coach Dave Doulin. This season, they will rely on a largely new roster as they look to develop throughout the season.

The Goldbacks have lost Yan, Caden Giglio and Oren Miller to graduation. Jake Corsetti is the top returning golfer, while newcomers Cole Voltaire and Tyler Rausenberger join the team.

Doulin said the Goldbacks are beginning the season with seven new players and three returners, making development a primary focus.
“Replacing three section qualifiers and a four-time section champion is not easy,” Doulin said. “We look forward to seeing how the team develops over the season.”

With a young and inexperienced roster, Doulin said the team’s postseason expectations are measured but attainable.

After finishing near the top of OCIAA Division I last season, NFA will look to use the 2026 campaign to build experience and develop a new group of golfers capable of contributing at the postseason level.

“Getting a couple postseason qualifiers would be a success for the team,” he said.

It’s been a rough start for the Goldbacks so far, as they’ve lost their first two matches to start the season. They opened the season last Thursday with a 234-249 loss to the Cornwall Dragons. They followed that the next day with a 220-260 loss to the Rhinebeck Hawks.

They were scheduled to host the Valley Central Vikings on Tuesday at the Powelton Club before heading to West Point Golf Course on Thursday to face the James I. O’Neill Raiders.