While levels of camaraderie are high, it seems as if the Jeffs haven't yet congealed on the course. Results from this season have not been as expected, with players who have shown promise in the past failing to live up to expectations, and the hope of improvement falling to the wayside as the season comes to a close. To this are the added complications of weekday tournaments conflicting with classes and weather best suited for galoshes, and the promise that greeted the open of the spring season is but Excalibur caught in the stone.
Last year, senior co-captain David Litt exploded in the spring season, playing in top form. At the Lou Flumere Invitational, the 2005 spring opener, Litt posted an exceptional score of 74 which placed the Jeffs sixth and himself an outstanding second individually. This year the Jeffs, and Litt, returned to Stow, Mass. on Wednesday to compete in the "Lou Flu," but with slightly different results.
Junior Andrew Bruns seems to have taken the reigns this spring, which have been juggled since the graduation of standout Justin Sharaf in 2005. Bruns led the team at the Flumere with a 79, tying for 21st among 95 competitors.
Joining Bruns with a surprising 79 was first-year Chris Valentine. Valentine, whose scores in the fall ranged from the somewhat dismal 90s to his best of 86, was able to post his best collegiate score, capitalizing on his knowledge of the course. The first-year lives in nearby Topsfield, Mass. Litt was unable to do the same, and his score suffered a 15-swing blow from last season. Litt posted an 89, as did fellow co-captain senior Keith Zalaski.
"The course was in pretty good shape; however, I didn't play well due to the fact that there were no water coolers," said Zalaski.
This past Saturday the Jeffs were at it again at the world-renowned Taconic Golf Course, the men's golf team's home away from home. In the Williams Spring Opener, the team placed a sour ninth in the 13-team field. Despite home-course advantage, Williams, who shot a collective 314, was edged out of the title by three strokes by Skidmore College. Amherst was 54 strokes back at 341, and Middlebury College was fourth with a 319.
Head Coach Jack Arena '83 has worked at getting all of his golfers time on the course all season. Thus, Saturday saw an almost complete turnover from the Lou Flumere. This season all of the golfers, including three new faces to the team this year, have had ample opportunity to prove their mettle. Whether this strategy has also proven effective in attaining the best possible tournament scores is less apparent.
Another first-year led the pack again at the Williams Spring Opener. Will Collins posted matching 42 on the front and back nine for an 84, a score Collins has shown to be right up his alley.
After a strong first nine, junior Sean Jules hit a rut in the last, ending with a 37-48-85. In the past Jules has been one of the Jeffs' strongest players. In the fall he consistently led the team with strong scores, which included tying fifth individually at the NESCAC Championships. However, Jules has had a tough spring season and has yet to break 80.
First-year Glenn Wong, who shows ample athletic promise, in the fall he won a long drive competition, shot 43-42-85. Sophomore Jesse Corradi shot 42-45-87. Litt played a solid front nine, posting a 41, but fell back in the second to post an overall score of 88.
Bruns also attended the tournament, but competed as an individual. Despite a recent bout of food poisoning, Bruns was able to pull out a team-best 79, tying for 15th. Unfortunately, his score did not count towards the team's total.
"Andy is playing great golf right now, which is great because he is my alternate shot partner at the Little Three [Championship]," said Zalaski.
The Little Three Championship, a staple of almost every Amherst athletic squad, pits Williams Wesleyan University amd Amherst in three-way competition. The golf variation of this theme includes 36 holes of match play-alternate shot in the morning, singles in the afternoon. This year's championship takes place today at Wesleyan's Lyman's Ochard course.