Jules finished fifth in last fall's NESCAC Championship, which landed him on the first team all-NESCAC for the third-consecutive season. At the Lou Flumere Invitational, Bruns headed the team with a 79, placing him at the 21st spot out of the 95 competitors. Bruns competed individually at the Williams Spring Opener where he also finished with a 79, good for 15th place.
Drew Russ '07 shined during the team's Spring Break trip to Hilton Head, S.C. last season, demonstrating his knack for competition. Russ is one of the most capable players on the roster and will certainly make a mark on the NESCAC this season. Last year, he showed his ability to post sub-80 rounds while holding one of the top spots on the squad. Junior Jesse Corradi gained 35th place at the NESCAC Championships a year ago, and promises a good season with a new handle on his mental game. However, Corradi and fellow junior Judd Olanoff must step into leadership positions this season as they contribute to the success of the team.
Last year's first-years showed a lot of promise and hope to contribute again to this year's squad. Armed with knowledge of the Massachusetts course, Bay State-native Chris Valentine '09 notched his best collegiate score with a 79 at the "Lou Flu." He repeated this achievement at the Palamountain Invitational by posting another 79 last spring. Sophomore Will Collins was also a reliable player last season, shooting consistent scores and learning from the leadership on the team. Classmate Glenn Wong was a monster on the course, winning the long-drive contest by blasting a 345-yard drive and besting Div. I opponents from University of Connecticut and University of Rhode Island.
Florida native Adam Shniderman '10 will look to have an immediate impact on the squad after an impressive junior career.
The Jeffs look forward to returning to their form of old, and the team is ready to compete with a higher intensity this season.
"I'm excited for the upcoming season of golf," said Wong. "While we will greatly miss last year's senior co-captains, I believe this year's captains, Bruns and Jules, will lead us to great success. We have a solid core of players returning, each with another year of experience and are ready to take Amherst golf back to the top."
NESCAC Notes
Beginnning this year, the NESCAC champion will be given an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship to be held in the spring. Last year's NESCAC champion, Williams College, will be faced with stiff competition as they hope to repeat last year's success.