This weekend the Cornell golf team wraps up its season in Middletown, Del. for the Scotty Duncan Memorial Tournament. The Frog Hollow golf course will play host to Cornell’s season ending invitational. This tournament will feature a two-day stroke play format and will reward the best scoring medallist and low scoring five-man team.
This format is one that the Red is well accustomed to. Last week, at the Ivy League Tournament, head coach Matt Baughan’s players had to endure two rounds of golf in one outing as the three round event drew everything out of the golfers.
The Metedeconk National Golf Club played tough for the Red as it was unable to improve on an eighth-place finish for the fifth consecutive year. Junior Ross LaFleur was the high Cornell finisher with a three round total of 243. This placed him 30th overall. Senior captain Dave Nayak shot a 247, which landed him in 35th place overall.
Princeton’s James Milam was the medallist with a 218. Milam’s team also won the team championship with a 894, while Cornell compiled a 990. The Red will look to regain some confidence this week against some stiff competition. Sophomore Justin Watzka, junior Justin Gatwood and sophomore Matt Rymer should all figure to hit the links this weekend to take on hosting Delaware Blue Hens and other equally skilled teams.
Last year this tournament was played at Hog Neck Golf Club in Maryland. Loyola’s Ben Schubert fired a 2-under 70 on the last day to finish at 146, two strokes ahead of Rutgers Kevin Campana, to claim the individual title. Iona won the team title with a slim one-shot margin over Rutgers (615-616).
Schubert will not return to defend this title as the Greyhounds will travel to Orlando, Fla. instead for the MAAC championship.
The Gaels and Scarlet Knights will also be absent from the competition. This will leave a void for a new champion to assume as many of last year’s participating teams will be absent.
Frog Hollow is a par 71, 6608-yard layout, with a slope rating of 130. This short course will challenge the golfers nonetheless, as indicated by the moderately strong slope rating. Metal spikes are not allowed so the greens will be in good condition. Yesterday’s showers will be dried out by today’s sunshine, which should leave the course rolling faster.
Baughan will gear up his players one last time this season and look to finish out the season on a positive note.
Archived article by Donald Lee