By Sam Belden
This weekend, Fordham Golf traveled to Baltic, Connecticut to play in the Til Duty is Done Collegiate Invitational, finishing seventh out of 13 teams. It was the Rams’ final event of the regular season — they head to the Atlantic 10 Championship later this week — and while there were some positive signs, they failed to get over the hump and contend.
“We have, unfortunately, been spinning our tires,” said sophomore Joseph Trim. “Most of the guys have had problems putting together two good nines, either struggling at first and finishing strong or getting off to a great start and falling apart towards the end.”
Despite the team’s struggles, the players were glad to participate in one of collegiate golf’s more unique tournaments. Til Duty is Done is a non-profit with the aim of helping veterans reintegrate back into civilian life. Since its founding in 2014, the organization has provided education, employment, healthcare and numerous other services to Connecticut veterans. At the event, a number of veterans volunteered, while a contingent from the Veteran Golfers Association fielded a team that held its own against the collegiate players.
“It was a great honor to play in a tournament that supports a cause like Til Duty Is Done,” said Trim. “It was important for us to help and give back to the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country.”
Fordham shot a 300 in the opening round, its best score of the tournament, before fading to scores of 304 and 302 to wrap up the week. Trim and fellow sophomore James Mongey led the way for the Rams, both tying for 27th. Mongey bookended the weekend with scores of 72 and 73, but was done in by a second round 80, while Trim was more consistent throughout the tournament.
Freshman Tommy Hayes tied for 30th, one stroke behind Trim and Mongey. Sophomore Matt Schiller, Fordham’s top performer this season, had a disappointing week and failed to break 75, ending up in a tie for 40th. Junior Oscar Cabanas tied for 51st, rounding out the scoring for the Rams.
Tournament host UConn won the event, shooting rounds of 287, 277 and 282 to finish 11 strokes ahead of second-place Rhode Island. Eric Dietrich was the medalist; the junior shot a 66 in the second round and a 64 in the third to log a win on his home course. Evan Russell of Hartford and Billy Walthouse of Rhode Island placed second and third, respectively.
Next on the schedule for the Rams is the A-10 Championship, which kicks off this Friday at the Villas of Grand Cyprus in Orlando, Florida. The team has been stuck in neutral since its win in Pennsylvania earlier this month, but the players hope to hang in there against a brutally tough field.
“We rarely compete against most of the teams in the A-10, so we will be seeing schools for the first time,” said Trim. “There are some very solid teams in the conference, so we will be going up against some tougher opponents. I think if we can finish around the middle in the 11-team event, it will be a successful tournament for us.”
It is important to note that Fordham Golf is a non-scholarship program, while most other A-10 schools offer scholarships to their golfers. This can create a mismatch in skill, but this season’s squad is one of Fordham’s strongest in years. A decent finish would make a big statement.
The first group at the A-10 Championship will tee off this Friday at 7:30 a.m.
