Amherst, MA – The Williams College Men’s Golf Team captured their 13th straight Little Three Championship today, as the Ephs defeated the Amherst Lord Jeffs 7 ½ to 5 ½ and beat the Wesleyan Cardinal 11 to 1.
The unique Ryder Cup style 36-hole event was hosted by Amherst College at Hickory Ridge Country Club. The morning matches consist of four alternate shot matches, and then the afternoon concludes with eight singles matches.
The first matches started at 8:30 AM after a frost delay, as the duo of Siwol Chang ’12 and first year Alex Xu ’13 started off for the Ephs. Xu was in his first collegiate tournament and had a great showing today, as the pair defeated Wesleyan 2 & 1. However, they fell early in the match 4 down to Amherst but fought back hard and lost 1 down on the final hole. Drew Murray ’11 and Jake Wagner ’11 took care of business in the morning, as they defeated Wesleyan 7&6 and beat Amherst 5&4. Bob Camp ’11 and Wyatt Sparks ’13 handily defeated Wesleyan 6&4, but bounced back from a 1 down deficit after nine holes to win 2&1. Jack Killea ‘11 and Jack Ervasti ’13 continued their steady play throughout the spring, defeating both teams 5&4.
Heading into the afternoon, the Ephs were up 4-0 on Wesleyan and 3-1 on Amherst. The Ephs were in good position, as they needed 6 ½ points total against each team to capture the title.
“As the afternoon singles matches began, we knew the lower part of our line-up had to do their job if we were to be in the position we wanted to be,” stated Coach Pohle, “Both Amherst and Wesleyan had solid players at the top of their line-ups and we felt those matches were a toss up.”
Both Xu and Chang jumped out to big leads and eventually nailed down 2 vital points. Xu won his Wesleyan match 8&7 and his Amherst match 3&2. Chang struggled to close out his matches, but won both 2&1. Playing in the 6th spot, Drew Murray defeated Wesleyan 7&6, but was involved in an up and down match with Amherst that eventually ended up all square and added another crucial 1/2 point. Jake Wagner and Bob Camp both struggled in their singles matches, as Wagner defeated his Wesleyan opponent, but lost his Amherst match, while Camp lost both matches. Meanwhile, Jack Killea and Jack Ervasti kept up their stellar play and dominated their opponents. Killea’s 6&4 and 5&4 wins, and Ervasti’s 4&3 and 3&2 wins helped secure the team's 13 consecutive title.
“I was impressed with the play of Killea and Ervasti for the day and they really anchored our team today,” said Coach Pohle, “Alex Xu, playing in his first official varsity match, was equally impressive and I think he probably exhibited the best match play concept of anyone out there.”
“Even though a few players wound up on the wrong end of their matches, I think we competed well and really were intent on bringing another championship back to Williamstown,” continued Pohle, “As long as we continue this intensity, I think it will be more difficult for someone to unseat us down the road.”
With the 13th straight consecutive title, the Ephs conclude their 2009-2010 campaign and look forward to the new season this upcoming fall.
