WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The goal for the fall
season at Williams and all NESCAC schools is to make a strong
showing in the NESCAC Qualifier, be one of the four teams eligible
to compete in the NESCAC Championships in the spring and contend
for the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament.
In 2007-08 Rick Pohle’s Ephs
accomplished both the fall goal and the spring goal and played in
the NCAA Tournament, but last year the Ephs only accomplished the
first step and a half of the two steps necessary to secure the NCCA
Tournament bid. Despite holding a two-shot first day lead at the
NESCAC Championships the Ephs fell to fourth place on day two and
missed out on a second straight NCAA Tournament experience.
Throughout the 2008-09 academic year the Ephs
had trouble posting strong rounds both days of most of the
tournaments they entered and they paid a price for that
inconsistency.
Entering his 27th season at the helm of the Eph program Rick Pohle (1,815-512-6) knows that he will have a talented group of veterans from which to build a competitive team from.
Despite losing All-NESCAC performer Tyler Zara
and the steady Matt Felser to graduation, Pohle will have a quartet
of juniors and a two promising sophomores all capable of leading
the team on any given day or weekend. And who knows what talent
might be in the Ephs’ first year class?
|
| John Killea '11 |
|
| Drew Murray '11 |
Jack Killea, a junior, is coming off a 2008
fall season that saw him capture NESCAC First Team honors. Killea
tied for 5th at the NESCAC Qualifier with an opening round par 71
and a second round of 79 (150). Killea also led the Ephs at the
fall season’s final event when he carded a two-day total of
150 at the Trinity Invitational.
Junior Drew Murray led the Ephs at both the
Duke Nelson Tournament (Middlebury) and at the Hamilton
Invitational. Murray fired an opening round of 73 at the Duke
Nelson event, but then struggled on day two carding an 80 for a
two-day total of 153. He had a two-day total of 152 at the Hamilton
Invite, opening with a 75 and closing with a 77 (152).
Junior Jake Wagner played in four fall events
last year and posted his best two-day total on the Ephs’ home
course The Taconic Golf Club in the Williams Invitational.
Wagner’s two-day 153 was highlighted by a strong rebound
after an opening round of 80. He carded a two over par 73 on day
two to record his best score of the fall. Twice Wagner shot 154 --
at the NESCAC Qualifier and the Hamilton Invite.
|
| Bob Camp '11 |
|
| Jake Wagner '11 |
Junior Bob Camp notched a fall season best of
157 as a member of the Eph “B” team at the Williams
Invitational, shooting 76-81. He also carded a 158 at the Duke
Nelson tourney with consecutive rounds of 79.
“Our junior class is looking to rebound
from a season that they admit was one of “under
achievement,” noted Pohle. “I look for them to make
good on that promise and regain the competitive spirit that they
displayed as freshmen.”
Sophomore Siwol Chang played in three matches
a year ago and showed that he was capable of contributing to the
success of the Eph team right out of the gate. Chang’s best
effort was a 156 at the Duke Nelson tourney (75-81). Murray also
posted a 157 at Hamilton and a 159 at the Williams
Invitational.
Sophomore Chris Valle may have served notice that he will also be in the mix to make the Eph lineup when he fired a 153 playing on the “B” team in the Williams Invitational (75-78).
“Both Siwol and Chris have the talent to
make significant contributions this season and I expect they have
been preparing to step into a starting role once we get started
this fall,” stated Pohle.
The Ephs will open the 2009 season on the road when they compete at the Bowdoin Invitational September 13 and 14.
“This is a very close-knit group of
players and I believe they are intent on leading this team to the
next level,” said Pohle. “There should be no surprises
ahead of them – all of them have had significant playing time
over the past two years.”
“We have three events to prepare for the
NESCAC Tournament (Oct. 3-4) on our home course (Taconic
GC),” Pohle said. “If we can play steady golf in these
events, we should be prepared to make a solid run at hosting the
NESCAC Championship next spring. I do not want our players to think
that the lead-in events are just “practice” rounds for
ONE EVENT on the schedule – to me, ALL events are
important!”
‘I believe the mental approach for each
event on the schedule is the key,” commented Pohle.
”Under the current format, I think a number of our players
have looked at the NESCAC Tournament and the NESCAC Championship as
the only events on the schedule that really matter – in
addition (of course) to the Little 3 Championship. To me, every
event and every round is important. I’ll take it a step
further – every hole and every shot is important in my eyes.
If we can get five players to buy into this, we’ll be in the
mix all the way.”
The incoming first year class could also add more depth to a talented and experienced Eph team. “I think there are a number of first year players that have a chance to have an impact right away,” stated Pohle. “Jack Ervasti has a very good chance to contribute right away because of his competitive nature as a strong golfer and ranked squash player. Other players that will be vying for a spot on the roster will be Ryan Brand, Michael Brofft, Wyatt Sparks, Matthew Kuchtyak, Alex Xu and Hrishi Srinagesh. I am sure there will be a few surprises once try-outs begin.”
