Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Clark during the 2016 NCAA Division II National Tournament.
WATERTOWN, Conn. - - The Wilmington University golf team captured its first tournament win of the 2016-17 season, finishing first of 12 teams at the Post Eagles Invitational hosted at the Watertown Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday.
The Wildcats shot two strokes better in the second round on Tuesday, finishing with a 297-295 for a 592 (+24) in the two-day tournament. The team finished two strokes ahead of St. Thomas Aquinas (298-296, 594 (+26)), Le Moyne (299-295 – 594 (+26)), and Southern New Hampshire (305-289 – 594 (+26)) who all finished in a tie for second overall.
Senior Sam Clark led the Wildcats on Tuesday, shooting a 72 to improve upon his 74 on Monday. He finished with a 146 (+4) for the tournament, finishing in a tie for third place overall. He tallied 22 pars and five birdies in the two rounds, shooting a one-under on all the par-fives this week.
Senior Miguel Siercke jumped the most spots for the Wildcats, moving up four places to a tie for fifth with a 73 on Tuesday. He closed out the Tournament with a 75-75 for a 148 (+6). Siercke finished third in the tournament with seven birdies in the two rounds, performing best on the par-fours, averaging an even score on those holes throughout the week.
Junior transfer Zach Moore slipped a stroke from round to round, but still finished in a tie for ninth overall with a 74-75 for a 149 (+7). Much like Clark, Moore finished at one-under on the par-five holes this week while averaging 4.14 strokes per par-four hole.
Junior Joey Russo rounded out the Wildcat team scoring on Tuesday with a 75, finishing identical to Moore with a 74-75 for a 149 (+7) and in a tie for ninth overall. Russo collected 22 pars on the week and averaged 4.23 strokes (+5) on the par-fours and 3.25 (+2) on all the par-threes.
Freshman Matthew Kettleson closed out the Wildcats' team on the course, shooting an 81 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for 47th overall. He went for a 79-81 for a 160 (+18) in the two days. He was second on the team with six birdies on the tournament, however.
Four other Wildcats played as individuals in the tournament, led by senior Freddy Braun's 75-74 for a 149 (+7). He tied teammates Moore and Russo in a tie for ninth overall. Braun led the team on the par-three holes, finishing even for the tournament. He also collected 21 pars and five birdies in the two days.
Junior Troy Millers improved his play by two strokes on Tuesday, shooting a 77-75 for a 152 (+10) for the tournament. Miller tied for the team lead with 22 pars this week. Freshman Braden McKay shot a 77-79 for a 156 (+14) to finish in a tie for 28th overall while classmate Jack Dixon rounded out the Wildcats on the course with an 81-79 for a 160 (+18) for the two days.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Kevin Gately earned medalist honors as the only player under par for the two days. He shot a 70-71 for a 141 (-1), beating the field by two strokes.
The Wildcats head to the Otter Fall Invitational hosted by CSU Monterey Bay in Seaside, Calif., for their next tournament on October 17-18. The team will also send individuals to the Griffin Invitational on Tuesday, October 18, hosted by Chestnut Hill at the Inniscrone Golf Club in Avondale, Pa.