A year after winning the NESCAC championship, the Middlebury men’s golf team took a big step towards repeating that accomplishment, earning a first place finish at the 2014 qualifying tournament. The event, held at Hamilton College, comprised ten teams vying for the chance to take part in the four-team NESCAC championship in the spring and also to host the conference tournament.
Middlebury finished the weekend with a 599, only one ahead of Hamilton’s final tally of 600. Eric Laorr ’15 dominated play this weekend with a 74 on day one and a 73 on day two. Fitz Bowen ’17 tied Laorr’s total, earning a 72 on day one and a 75 on day two. Laorr and Bowen were only two strokes off the first-place finisher for the weekend.
Charlie Garcia ’15, John Louie ’15, and Chris Atwood ’14.5 shot 152, 153 and 154 respectively.
Laorr commented on his team’s ability to perform under pressure over multiple days.
“For the most part, our level of play remained steady over the course of the weekend,” he said. “We were able to remain consistent because of our approach to the final day while holding a lead.”
The women’s golf team also had a great showing at home this weekend by finishing in second place behind Williams. Williams totaled 619 while Middlebury shot a 660.
Michelle Peng ’15 led the Panthers with a 158 for the weekend in which she shot an 80 on day one and a 78 on day two. Jordan Glatt ’15 kept pace as the second finisher for the Panthers. Glatt shot a 78 on day one and an 82 on day two to finish the weekend with a 160.
Theodora Yoch ’17 shot a 170 and Hope Matthews ’18 finished the weekend with a 172. Emma Kitchen ’14.5 rounded out the competitors for Middlebury.
“The team played with focus and commitment this weekend, in front of many of our families and friends,” Kitchen said.
Next weekend, the women’s team will travel to Williams to compete in their invitational on Oct. 4 and 5, while the men’s team has next weekend off and will not be competing until the ECAC championship in two weeks.
