Duffers Win Eph Classic With Record Score

Author: Jeff Martin

The Middlebury Panther golf team continued its utter domination this past week with a blistering round of 292 at the Eph Classic en route to winning its third tournament of the fall season. The Panthers also placed second at the Goss Invitational, to which they played host on Oct. 10.
The host college was not only defeated on its home turf, it was humiliated. The Panthers tore apart the field shooting a school record 292, which was only a combined eight strokes over par for four players, placing them seven strokes ahead of host team Williams. The Williams squad finished third with a round of 306, followed by the 307 posted by Trinity. The rain-shortened tournament restricted play to just a single round on Sunday, which played right into the Panthers' liking. Even Williams' Head Coach Rick Pohle gave much praise to the Panthers' effort. "You have to take your hat off to them, that is a great score under the conditions."
Leading the way for the victorious Panthers was a harmoniously balanced attack, with the team placing an unprecedented four golfers within the top eight individual standings. Damon Gacicia '02.5 and Brad Tufts '03 both shot a one-over 72 to finish tied for second on the scoreboard. The tournament medalist, Paul Winkler of Western New England College, shot an even-par 71. Only three shots over-par were Ryan Simper '03 and Chuck Clement '04, whose rounds of 74 solidified the best team mark ever posted by a Panther golf team. Clement was one of the most instrumental contributors toward Sunday's victory. "It felt great to post a low number. I knew it was in us; we were just waiting for it to all come together and it did. I was still pleasantly surprised when I came in and saw that we already had two 72's and a 74 on the board, he remarked." Also participating in the Panthers' record-setting day was Derek Singer '05, who also gave a solid effort for the squad. Added Simper, "This was Damon's last tournament at Williams, and we wanted to send ol' Cheech out with a bang. I'm sure he'll show his face again, though. Somehow I don't think he can resist the idea of spending more time with me, Brad, Beaney and the gang."
Also partaking in the Eph Classic was the female contingent to the Middlebury golf program. Emily Lord '03.5 and Mackenzie Gowdey-Backus '06 both played during Sunday's event. Lord placed third in the women's division, hinting that the College's fledgling women's golf program should have no problem asserting itself as a credible threat in New England play. In the meantime, tournament experience like the Eph Classic should help the program grow swiftly.
Last Thursday the Panthers fought fierce winds as they hosted the Goss Invitational, which has become known as the 'Battle of Vermont'. The team placed second by a mere two-strokes to the Catamounts of the University of Vermont, who shot 329. Despite not winning state bragging rights, the Panthers did have the tournament medallist, Gacicia, who was the only player in the tournament to break 80 under the brutal conditions, shooting 78. The team consensus was unanimous in feeling upset about its play during the Goss. Clement commented, "The Goss was very disappointing. The wind was definitely a factor, and I don't think I have seen such difficult pin positions in a long time. It's easy to get unexpected kicks on chips and because of the hole positions, putting was a challenge." Gacicia summed up some other rather explicit comments concerning the round. "We got a little lax out there and really didn't play well. However, I felt as though the round and Coach Beaney's ensuing comments catapulted us into the weekend, forcing us to get our act together."
Next up for the red-hot Panthers will be the New England Championships on Oct. 21-22, which will take place at the Captain's Courses on Cape Cod. This will be the last tournament for the squad this fall, as well as the final collegiate event for Gacicia, who will graduate in February. Looking back on the season, Gacicia was more than pleased. "We really came together as a team during the Eph Classic, and dominated the field. I hope that we will be able to continue to add to our most successful season, which already boasts three tournament victories."