Williamstown, MA – After the conclusion of the final round, the Williams Men’s Golf Team found themselves on top of the podium once again, for the third time this season, as they took home the first place trophy at the Williams Spring Opener.
For much of the front nine, the weather did not cooperate, as cold rain doused the golf course, increasing the challenge for players. However, towards the middle of the back nine, the clouds drifted away and the weather cleared up for an inviting finish.
Leading after the first round by only three strokes over Trinity, the Ephs came out strong again today, firing consistent rounds and improving their day one score by two strokes, firing an impressive 301. The 604 total gave the Ephs an 18 shot victory over Trinity, who fired a 316 today for a 622 tournament total.
Bob Camp ’11 took center stage once again, as he fired another impressive 72 in the final round, matching his day one score. His 144 total gave him individual medalist honors and his first career collegiate tournament victory. “He has played well most of the spring” noted Coach Pohle, “He has a lot of talent and performs best when he lets things fall into place instead of trying to force things.”
First year Jack Ervasti ’13 improved upon his day one score by two strokes, shooting a 75 for a stellar 152 performance over the weekend. “He is a great competitor on the squash court and I want that sound thinking to carry him during his rounds on the course,” said Pohle.
Jake Wagner ’11 did not play as well as he did on day one, shooting an 80 today, but his solid 155 tournament total saw him receive All-Tournament team honors, along with Ervasti and Camp. Junior Jack Killea ’11 also bettered his first round score for a 156 total, shooting a solid 77 today even though he had a tough finishing stretch. “Juniors Jake Wagner and Jack Killea each had moments over the weekend, but both are seasoned collegiate players and will be a big asset to us for the rest of the season,” said Pohle.
Drew Murray ‘11 also fired a solid 77, making a big contribution to the day two team score. Chris Valle ’12, playing as an individual this weekend, matched the two 77’s fired by Killea and Murray with one of his own for a steady 159 effort this weekend. Siwol Chang ’12, also playing as an individual, struggled on the back nine to shoot 84 for a 164 total, and First Year Wyatt Sparks ’13 also struggled today, shooting 87 for a 167 weekend score.
“Drew regained a bit of his scoring touch today and has the ability to really help us next weekend if he can build on this progress with practice this week,” claimed Coach Pohle, “sophomores Chris Valle and Siwol Chang had pretty good efforts over the course of the tournament and could challenge for the last open spot in next weekend's line-up, along with Wyatt Sparks and Drew.”
Looking forward into next weekend, the Ephs will host another tournament at Taconic Golf club, but this time it will be the all-important NESCAC Championship. Three of the schools that played this weekend (Middlebury, Trinity, and Hamilton) will be returning to Williamstown for the four team showdown that gives the automatic national championship bid to the victor. Williams has 10 NESCAC Conference Titles and 10 appearances in the NCAA Championship, which are both conference records. The last of each were in 2008, when the junior class that anchors the team were freshmen. Tee times for next week will begin at 11 AM on both days at Taconic.
All-Tournament Team
