With a field of 10 teams and 58 players in the beginning of the St. Rose Fall Shootout, Le Moyne’s Golf team was in for some tough conference competition. However, the squad of six golfers dominated through the two-day tournament to take home first place.
Participating in five tournaments this season, this marks the second first-place finish for the ‘Phins, winning by 25 strokes. The last time they accomplished this feat was at the Franklin Pierce Invitational, the first tournament of the year.
Le Moyne dominated the Pinehaven Country Club course from day one, finishing with four golfers in the top ten spots. Junior Sam Eno and sophomore Aiden Fuller found themselves in a three-way tie at the conclusion of play on day one, with a 72 on the day, putting them both +1 in competition. Junior Mitch Hillegas tied for fourth on the day, shooting a 75, and freshman John Clare rounded out the top ten with 76, good for a seventh place tie.
The dominance continued into day two, with Clare making an incredible run. On the par-71 Pinehaven course, Clare shot a 70 to eventually tie with fellow teammate Fuller for first place. In a one-hole playoff, Clare took the victory, allowing Le Moyne to finish with first and second place for the first time this season. This is Clare’s second first-place finish this season, previously winning the Dowling September Shootout.
Eno still managed to secure fourth place, shooting a 76 and finishing 6-over. Right behind were Hillegas and Molter in sixth place, shooting a 78 and 76, respectively. Sophomore Alex Kinkaid took 25th, shooting a 160 total.
The Le Moyne squad posted a 297 and 296 on day one and two, respectively, giving them 593 total for the tournament. The next closest score was a 618, posted by both Dowling and Franklin Pierce.
Le Moyne’s 593 total score was the lowest 36-hole score since 2008’s SNHU Penman Invitational, where they totaled 593 as well. This victory gives Le Moyne momentum heading into the Nike Golf/Pepsi Invitational in Verona, NY, their final two-day tournament of the fall season.
