Williamstown, MA – The Williams A team lapped the field today in the final round of the Williams Invitational at Taconic Golf Club. It was another windy day, but the Ephs (584) exactly matched their solid 292 from Saturday to win by 15 strokes over runner-up Middlebury College (599). Babson (602) dropped one spot in the standings after the first round and finished in third place. Trinity College (603) came in fourth place in the event.
There was a dramatic finish in the final two groups, yielding co-medalists for the tournament. Through 35 holes, Williams junior Matt McCarron led teammate Dylan Dethier by a stroke. Dethier rolled in a clutch five-foot birdie putt on the last to take the clubhouse lead. McCarron then had eight feet for birdie on 18 to win, but saw his putt lip out and had to settle for a tie. Each Eph ended up with two-day totals of 149. This marked McCarron's first collegiate victory.
Williams freshman Michael Stone (150), competing on the B team, finished in a tie for third along with Hamilton junior Greg Scott. Williams junior Ross Bowen (151) played two steady rounds to complete the top five.
Williams also got got great contributions from sophomore Jake Goldenring (155, T8) and junior Jake Abrahams (156, T12). The A team was the only one in the field to post 10 scores in the 70's, proving its consistency and scoring ability. Head Coach Rick Pohle remarked on this: "Head Coach Rick Pohle had the following general comments about his team's victory: "I was very impressed by the performance we put forth this weekend. I think last week's final round at Middlebury was a motivation to our players to play a complete tournament. It was nice to see all 10 rounds by the "A" team in the 70's; something we have not done since a three consecutive event stretch we had last fall. Hopefully this will be the start of another such accomplishment."
The B team (612) was unable to match its performance from Saturday, but still finished in a tie for fifth, a solid result for a largely untested group of players.
Of the group of individuals Williams fielded in the event, first-year Max Elgart (159) had the finest showing. On Saturday, he recorded an ace on the 14th hole en route to 78. His 81 today was misleading; he carded an 11 on the par-4 11th hole. Pohle also spoke about the younger players competing in the event: "In addition to the win, we had a number of bright spots from players on the "B" squad and individuals playing in the event who were looking to improve their position on the team. We have a lot of talent on the roster and I respect everything they do in making our program better and more solid."
This marks the second victory of the season for the Ephs. They will look to continue their fine form next weekend at the NESCAC Fall Qualifier hosted by Amherst College, where all 10 conference schools will compete for four spots to qualify for the spring championship. The winner of that event will automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship in May. Tee times will begin next Saturday at 11:30 A.M. at Hickory Ridge Golf Club.
All Tournament Team:
Dylan Dethier (Williams) - 149
Matt McCarron (Williams) - 149
Greg Scott (Hamilton) - 150
Michael Stone (Williams) - 150
Ross Bowen (Williams) - 151
Eric Laorr (Middlebury) - 154
Tom Grant (Salem St.) - 154
