Men
The men’s golf team began their 2009-10 season last weekend exactly as they began it a year ago — with a sixth place finish of seven teams at the Trinity Invitational. With a two-round score of 637, the Jeffs even finished close to their 2008 score of 633. But with three of last year’s five scorers (Chris Valentine ’09, Glenn Wong ’09 and Will Collins ’09) graduated, the team relied on a younger crop of golfers this year.
Nate Belkin ’12 finished first for Amherst and tied for third overall with a 73-73 146 on the par-72 course, an 18-stroke improvement from last year.
“I actually hit the ball the best I ever have in a tournament. I feel as though I could have won the tournament had I just been able to make a few more of my shorter putts,” said the sophomore. “Regardless though, I realized that I can compete consistently at a high level with other golfers in the NESCAC. Last year I had a second place finish [at the Duke Nelson Invitational] and I was worried that the finish may have been a fluke. After this third place finish though, I am confident in my ability to compete at a high level in the NESCAC.”
Finishing close behind Belkin was Trip Wray ’11, who posted a 77-76 153 to tie for 12th place in the field of 47. Next for the Jeffs was Alex Butensky ’13 with an 82-84 166 in a tie for 33rd. Matt Parsons ’12 and Ben Johnston ’13 rounded out the Amherst scoring with a 174 and 176, respectively. Mike Belkin ’12 finished just out of the scoring with a 177.
Babson College captured the team victory with a score of 600, while host Trinity College and Susquehanna University tied for second with 605. Pasquale Pio of fifth-place Nichols College finished first individually with a one-under-par 143.
With such a young team, Nate Belkin is optimistic about the future growth of the team. “There is still room for improvement though as we would like to get a better place than six out of seven. Two freshmen got some experience, and the returning players all shook off some of the cob webs and rust which build up over the summer so we are looking forward to better finishes in the upcoming weeks.”
The team continues their season next weekend at the Williams Fall Invitational, where the Jeffs hope to improve on last year’s 13th-place finish of 20 teams.
“Next week I hope to keep my individual play up and to get a improved team score with our improved experience,” said Nate Belkin.
Women
The women will begin their season this weekend at the Dartmouth Invitational. They return all five of their scorers from last year’s fifth-place of 17 teams.