The men's golf team wraps up its season this coming weekend. The Polar Bears will be competing at Brunswick Country Club against the members of the course. The Bowdoin men will be looking for revenge against the members after a loss last season. The team will be competing in a best ball format and look to come out firing low numbers to end the season on a positive note.
With their ninth place finish at the NESCAC qualifier, the Polar Bears were unable to reach their goal of finishing within the top four, which would have extended their season to the spring. Bowdoin needed to peak during this championship in order to compete against the top teams in the conference. However, the players' higher-than-expected scores prevented Bowdoin from competing in NESCAC competition again this school year.
Bowdoin finished No. 9 out of a field of 10 teams. Going into the tournament, Bowdoin was aware that they needed to play their best all season, but the pressure was too much. Ryan Blossom '10 was the top individual performer for the Polar Bears, finishing in a tie for 23rd place with a weekend total of 155 (79-76). Kevin Smith '11 posted a score of 159 (81-78) to place 32nd, while Edson Bridges '11 (78-83) and Johnny Bohorquez '13 (80-81) finished in a tie for 37th with weekend totals of 161.
Williams was able to capture the NESCAC championship qualifier, putting them in solid position going into the spring season. Hamilton, Trinity and Middlebury rounded out the top four and will also compete in the spring for the NESCAC championship and a place at nationals.
The Bowdoin women's golf season came to a close this past weekend. The top two players competed at the NESCAC Championship against a tough field at the Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown, Mass. Amherst College walked away with the first-place finish when the weekend came to a close.
Both Chelsea Gross '13 and Chelsea Young '11 competed for the Polar Bears in Williamstown. The tandem didn't yield the results they were looking for but used the weekend as a learning experience for next year. Both players are looking forward to getting another shot next season at the NESCAC Championship and hope to travel with the entire team.
Gross stated, "the NESCAC championship went well, but not great. Chelsea and I enjoyed ourselves, though, and I particularly enjoyed playing a tournament with new competition. The weather was fairly rough and the course challenging but Amherst pulled through, taking first. My hope is that next year we will bring a full team to the championship because I believe that, with a little work, we have a shot at the championship title."
As a first year starter, Gross proved herself throughout the season and hopes to continue to improve through experience and practice.
She said, "I have loved this first season of college golf; the girls have been so welcoming and I am very impressed by their varied talents. I can already see the team changing—taking a different approach to golf—and I look forward to more improvements in the future."
With the young talent of Gross and the more experienced Young both returning to the team next season, Bowdoin will look to be a force in the NESCAC.