By BOBBY THOMPSON
STAFF WRITER
The Rams golf team has been busy on the links this spring. The Rams started off the spring with two 8th place finishes in Pennsylvania at a weather-shortened La Salle Invitational and Villanova’s annual Wildcat Invitational. At the La Salle Invitational, individuals Nick Polvino and Ben Alcorn actually led the way for Fordham, finishing higher than any of the starters. They rounded out the top 20 for the tournament as they finished with a 78 and 79 respectively. Unfortunately for Fordham’s starting five, the tournament was shortened due to inclement weather, and they were not able to redeem themselves after scoring in the low 80’s on Day 1.
The next week the Rams traveled to Malvern, Penn. to compete in the 54-hole Wildcat Invitational at the White Manor Country Club. Fordham again finished eighth, with Temple taking the title. The Rams played a demanding 36 holes on Day 1 of the tournament, followed by a round of 18 on Day 2. When it was all said and done, senior co-captain Jason Del Rosso lead the way for the Rams finishing in 22nd place. Ben Alcorn followed up his strong finish at La Salle finishing in a tie for 26th place. Two strokes behind Alcorn was Jeff Hogan, finishing in 35th place.
The following week the Rams traveled to Portsmouth, Rhode Island to compete in the URI Invitational, where Fordham tried to defend their title from 2012. Fordham wasn’t able to go back-to-back as host school URI won the tournament, but the Rams were able to jump up three spots from Day 1 to finish in fifth place. Del Rosso once again lead Fordham as he finished in second place for the tournament, vaulting the Rams into the top five. Del Rosso was beat out by five strokes for the individual title by Rhode Island’s own Brendan Chicorka. Alcorn continued his strong play along with senior co-captain Brody Nieporte as they rounded out the top three of Fordham’s season high nine competitors in the tournament.
Last week, the Rams traveled back to Rhode Island to compete in the New England Championship at one of head coach Paul Dillon’s favorite courses, Newport National.
“Every year we look forward to playing at Newport National, Dillon said. It is one of the best venues we play as the course is always in great condition. The New England Championships also always draws a strong field of competition as some of the best schools from the Northeast will be competing.”
The Rams ended up finishing in seventh place as UConn and URI took the top two spots respectively. Captain Jason Del Rosso once again led the team, finishing in eighth place with a two day score of five over par (74-75). Sophomore Ben Alcorn played well once again as he registered back-to-back 77s in a tie for 18th place. Junior Brandon Nolan finished one stroke behind Alcorn as he fired a 77 and a 78. Brody Nieporte (+16) and Jeff Hogan (+23) rounded out play for the Rams.
The Rams conclude their spring schedule this week at the A-10 Championship in Orlando, Fla. Orlando native Jason Del Rosso looks forward to competing in his fourth and final A-10 championship.
“The A-10 is obviously one of the coolest tournaments we get to compete in,” Del Rosso said. It’s always great to finish off the year in Florida with the guys as it almost acts as a second spring break trip. Every year, we have just as much fun together as a team off the course as we do on it. I’m sure this year will once again be the same and be a great endnote to my four years of golf at Fordham.”
