The No. 10-ranked Emory golf team took 14th place of 19 teams in an exclusively Division I field this past weekend at the Navy Spring Invitational.
"This past week was a very exciting opportunity for our team," junior Alec Berens said. "Unfortunately, windy cold conditions combined with a competitive field prevented us from having as high of a finish as we would have liked. But I think this was a good tune up to see what we need to work on in the next three weeks to be ready to compete in Nationals."
The two-day, 36-hole event was held at the 6,611-yard, par-71 course of the Naval Academy Golf Club in Annapolis, Md.
"It was a tough course, but it can only make us a better team, and a major takeaway from the tournament was that we learned how to play stronger position golf," head coach John Sjoberg
This is the first time in recent years the Eagles have played in a Division I event.
As a team, they shot 313 on Saturday and 318 on Sunday to finish with a score of 631.
"The very windy and cold conditions weren't conducive to low scores, and we didn't adapt well to the northeastern-style golf course," senior David Collura said.
Sjoberg was not entirely satisfied with his team's play.
"The course was tough; it had small greens and was very undulating," Sjoberg said. "We didn't play as well as we would have liked, but it was a good test to see where we stacked up amongst Division I teams."
Sjoberg noted Berens played well in very difficult conditions, tying for 29th in a 104-player field with a score of 153 (76-77).
Sophomore Alex Wunderlich carded a score of 16 over par over the two days for a 158 (77-81).
Wunderlich finished in the top half of the competitive, Division I field.
"Alec had a good showing, but it's clear we need to bear down and work hard these next three weeks before nationals," Collura said.
Despite the teams poor putting, Sjoberg saw signs of life in his team.
"The greens were pretty tough, so I think we all struggled a bit there," Sjoberg said. "Overall, we just didn't bring our A-games. However, as a team, we've gotten so much better than our performances show."
Senior David Collura shot 80-81 for a final score of 161.
Junior Johnathan Chen carded 163 (80-83), and junior Will Roth rounded out the Eagles' scores with 164 (85-79).
University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia tied for first place at 599, with U. Penn. taking the honors after a playoff. Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University (N.C.) tied for third place with a score of 601.
"The guys enjoyed the challenge, and though we didn't play as well as we wanted, it was a good trip to the Naval Academy," Sjoberg said.
The Emory golf team will now focus on their largest event of the year, the National College Athletic Association D-III Championships held May 14-17 at the Raven Golf Club in Sandestin, Fla.
"I think going forward we just need to work on fighting to put together decent rounds even when we don't have our best game," Berens said. "That is what will really benefit us over the four-day national championship and hopefully give us a chance at coming away with a trophy."
– By Seanette Ting
