Hayes is Lone Bright Spot Among Colgate Golfers

Two weekends ago, the Colgate golf team traveled to the West Point Golf Course for Army’s Mulekicker Fall Classic. The Raiders finished 13th out of 14 teams with a score of 630 with junior Ricky Hayes claiming the team’s lowest score for the third straight time. The tournament was won by Rutgers University, who finished with a score of 592, which bested LIU-Brooklyn by 11 strokes. Individually, Bucknell’s Charles Waddell and Rutger’s Seth Hierschorn tied for first place with scores of 1-over-par-141. Hayes, who placed 23rd for the Raiders, shot a score of 153 (13 over par), and was followed by first-year Matt Salmon’s 157, senior Sam Gerston’s 160, sophomore Montek Mayal’s 163 and senior Devin Taylor’s 166.

Last weekend, the Raiders journeyed to Binghamton’s Hiawatha Links for the NBT Collegiate Classic where they hoped to find better luck. However, the team had another tough weekend, finishing 8th out of 11 teams in their final tournament of the season. St. Bonaventure took home this tournament with a final score of 584, which topped host Binghamton by four strokes. The Raiders, who were without Hayes, were led by sophomore Keaton Cross’ six-over-par 146, which was good for a tie for fourth place and was nine strokes behind winner Ryan Swanson from St. Bonaventure.

“After our first round at Binghamton we looked like we were in a prime position to have a strong finish, sitting tied for fourth place,” Cross said. “But in the final round of the tournament many of the top teams shot incredibly well, so it was hard for us to hold our ground.”

Cross was followed by senior J. Hlavacek’s 151, Mayal’s 157, Salmon’s 158 and senior Sam Gerston’s 161.

The team’s fall season ended on a bit of a sour note, but it will continue to train for a stronger finish the spring season. “We hope to play well this spring and ultimately gain a top finish at the Patriot League Tournament,” Cross said.