The University’s golf team has been competing valiantly, and keeping busy, as they took part in the Rutgers Invitational, the Iona Quad Match and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) all in the month of September.
They began their season at Rutgers Invitational where they placed ninth out of 17 teams, four of which are Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) rivals.
Sophomore Kyle Deisher showcased his best performance with a total of 219 for 54 holes earning him 15th place overall.
The golfers next competed in the Iona Quad Match on Monday, Sept 16. The team captured a third place victory and notched a score of 311 for the 54 hole course.
Junior Brady Goodling took his first career medal as he shot two-over-par with a score of 72. Even though the team performed well, Shea believed that there was room for improvement.
“We can get better,” head coach Dennis Shea continued. “We’re headed in the right direction.”
Shea’s notion held true as the men took first place in the ECAC Tournament at the Twisted Dune Country Club in Egg Harbor Township on Sunday, Sept 29 and Monday, Sept 30.
“The wind was howling on the first day. The second day, the wind was a little calmer but the pin placements were tough,” Shea said of the environment.
Regardless of the playing conditions, Goodling was able to take first place for the second consecutive week as he carded 148 total strokes on a par-72 course.
“Brady happened to do very well, shot one under par, 71, and was leading by seven shots after the first round. He happened to be tied with the lowest score for the second day and won the championship,” Shea said.
Goodling was able to secure his first place victory as he finished six strokes in front of Rider University’s James Buttermark. He was also the first Hawk to finish the tournament in first place still since 2005. Along with his victory, Goodling also accounted for the only golfer to shoot sub-par in the tournament.
Due to his recent accomplishments, Goodling was awarded MAAC Men’s Golf of the Month on Wednesday, Oct 2. He is currently posting a 74.0 stroke average for the season.
Goodling’s teammates also prevailed in the tournament. Deisher finished third overall with a 76 and 79 for a 155 in the tournament. Teammates senior Corey Carrick and sophomore Cody Gross finished both rounds at 80 for a 160 in the tournament and a tie at sixth place. Junior Colin Buckley rounded out MU’s finishers with a 165 total.
The ECAC first place victory counts for the first team victory of the season. The Hawks finished 17 shots ahead of MAAC rival Farfield and 22 strokes in front of other MAAC opponent, Rider. MU finished with 623 strokes in the tournament.
“It was a nice victory for us, does it mean that we have to continue to work hard and get better? I wasn’t extremely happy with the total team score, I think we could have done a little better on the fourth and fifth team player,” Shea said.
The team competed in Binghamton Invitational on Monday, Oct 7. Goodling finished first out of the MU men and the team placed tenth overall. The second round, which was supposed to be played the following day, was rained out.
Shea and his team will have another chance to further their success this fall on Thursday, Oct 10 as they host Monmouth University’s Quad Match in Deal at 10 am.
