CAC Championship. Archrival Williams College hosted the tournament on Taconic Golf Course, their challenging yet scenic home course. Following their visit to Williamstown, the Jeffs ventured across the state to the Wellesley Invitational for a two-day competition that pitted them against some of the best Div. III programs in the northeast.
The story all season for the Jeffs has been about the consistent leadership of senior captain Sarah Harper, who has regularly broken 80 and had the lowest scoring average on the team. The NES-
CACs were no different as Harper led the way for the Jeffs with a superb 77 to win the individual title-again displaying her ability to raise her level of game during the big matches. She was followed by first-years Kinne Schwartz and Jordan Chafetz, junior Kristin Beneski, and first-year Alex Chang-Graham who fired 93, 93, 97, and 105, respectively. Amherst's impressive team total of 360 strokes, placed them third overall. The individual win for the women's captain brought a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment to Amherst's side. "It was the best to beat Williams on their home course," said Harper.
The Jeffs headed into the Wellesley Invite with soaring confidence, determined to best their performance at NESCACs. The squad answered the call and smashed their best two-day team total score by nearly 10 strokes, posting rounds of 353-344-697 and placing fourth. Amherst outperformed their own individual marks with Schwartz and Chafetz firing impressive rounds of 86-76-162 and 89-96-185, placing second and 21st, respectively. Harper placed second overall with a solid 81-81-162, tying Schwartz but was unable capture first place for the second time in as many weeks. Beneski fired her lowest total thus far, shooting 97-91-188 and placing 25th while Chang-Graham posted 107-99-206 and placed 31st. "It was nice to finish the season in spectacular fashion as a team and individually," said Schwartz..
Throughout the fall slate, each golfer demonstrated marked physical and mental improvement. With the wealth of young talent that continues to develop, the team should be even more competitive come springtime.