
Spiders Second Through 36 Holes at Hamptons Intercollegiate
10/07/2019 | Men's Golf
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. -- Playing just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, the Richmond Spiders men's golf team navigated wind gusts of more than 30 miles per hour to shoot a team score of 613 (+37) in the first two rounds of the Hamptons Intercollegiate at the Maidstone Club on Monday, second best in the nine-team field. Entering Tuesday's final round, Richmond is 14 shots behind tournament leader Oregon State (599) and six shots clear of third-place Loyola-Maryland (619).Â
"The conditions were extreme today," said coach Adam Decker. "This is an American links course with no trees that is right next to the ocean. The greens are very sloped and were extremely difficult to hit with so much wind."Â
Despite the conditions, all five golfers competing for Richmond are on the top half of the individual leaderboard. Freshman Ben Cooper is in sixth place in the field of 54 at 151 (+7), two shots in front of senior Andrew Sciaretta (153, +9), who is tied for ninth. Sophomore Michael Childress is tied for 11th at 154 (+10) after shooting 74 (+2) in the second round Monday afternoon, Richmond's best round of the day. Childress played the par fives in three-under par on Monday, tied for the best of any golfer in the field. Freshman Lou Baker is tied for 15th at 156 (+12) and junior Michael Baker is tied for 26th at 16-over par (160).Â
The wind blew constantly at 15 mph or more throughout the day Monday, leading to an average score of more than 80 in the first round (80.9) and 79.1 in the second round. The forecast calls for similar conditions for Tuesday's round, which will start at 7:40 AM.Â
"Our approach won't change for tomorrow," said Decker. "We need to save as many shots as possible. We know it will be difficult conditions on a very challenging course, but we have a good opportunity to move up with a solid final around."
With another impressive showing, the Spiders could capture their first top-three tournament finish since winning the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship.Â
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"The conditions were extreme today," said coach Adam Decker. "This is an American links course with no trees that is right next to the ocean. The greens are very sloped and were extremely difficult to hit with so much wind."Â
Despite the conditions, all five golfers competing for Richmond are on the top half of the individual leaderboard. Freshman Ben Cooper is in sixth place in the field of 54 at 151 (+7), two shots in front of senior Andrew Sciaretta (153, +9), who is tied for ninth. Sophomore Michael Childress is tied for 11th at 154 (+10) after shooting 74 (+2) in the second round Monday afternoon, Richmond's best round of the day. Childress played the par fives in three-under par on Monday, tied for the best of any golfer in the field. Freshman Lou Baker is tied for 15th at 156 (+12) and junior Michael Baker is tied for 26th at 16-over par (160).Â
The wind blew constantly at 15 mph or more throughout the day Monday, leading to an average score of more than 80 in the first round (80.9) and 79.1 in the second round. The forecast calls for similar conditions for Tuesday's round, which will start at 7:40 AM.Â
"Our approach won't change for tomorrow," said Decker. "We need to save as many shots as possible. We know it will be difficult conditions on a very challenging course, but we have a good opportunity to move up with a solid final around."
With another impressive showing, the Spiders could capture their first top-three tournament finish since winning the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship.Â
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Players Mentioned
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