COBLESKILL, NY
The UMPI Golf team has enjoyed a very positive season filled with good performances from veterans and rookies alike. It all came to fruition at the North Atlantic Conference Championship held in Cobleskill, New York. The 36 hole, two day event took place at Cobleskill Golf and Country Club, a Par 70 course at 6,100 yards.
Day 1: 337 (6th out of 8 teams)
UMPI went into the match ranking seventh in the pre-championship poll, behind UMaine Farmington and ahead of VTSU-Johnson. The Owls were determined to finish ahead of their ranking, and after day one they found themselves sitting ahead of the Beavers by a comfortable margin, and just two shots behind Maine Maritime Academy for 5th place.
The top two scorers for UMPI all year long led the way on day one of the Championship as well. Garrett Chadwick and Matthew Pelletier both shot an 80 with identical nine splits of 42 on the front and 38 on the back. As per usual, Chadwick had the more roller coaster round, logging four birdies throughout the day on holes 4, 9, 14, and 15. Pelletier played the more even-keeled route, with just two birdies, but six pars. The pairing proved why they've been UMPI's number one and two all year long.
Luke Beidelman once again played a better round than he did before, something he has done with every start he's had. This time he shot an 82, with a 41 on the front and back. Beidelman had back-to-back birdies on the front on holes three and four. His score in the number three spot certainly helped UMPI to their day one ranking.
Day 2: 358, (695 Total: 6th of 8 Teams)
Luke Beidelman emerged as the day two hero, which ended up being a grind for everyone. Beidelman finished with an 86. Starting on the back nine this time, Beidelman posted a back nine score of 41, with four pars, before posting a front nine score of 45 with three more pars. Garrett Chadwick grinded for his 87 after a 47 on the back nine, he recovered nicely with a 40 on his second nine, including a birdie to finish his final collegiate round. Avery Thibodeau improved from his day one score with a 91 and a 45/46 split and finished with three straight pars. Spencer Harman wrapped up his career, posting a 94, including a birdie on the par three 8th for his second-to-last career hole.
The Owls posted a 358 team score, 21 strokes worse than the day before, but didn't lose any ground as they still finished in sixth place ahead of Farmington and VTSU-Johnson
A Successful Season in the Books:
UMPI Golf made great strides in Mike Boone's second year as head coach. His squad set the record for lowest team score in over a decade in their first match of the season and continued to post more scores the rest of the year that would have also broken that mark. The Owls' 6th place finish is their best mark since joining the North Atlantic Conference in the 2019. UMPI will graduate two starters from their NAC Championship lineup: Garrett Chadwick and Spencer Harman.
