The Eagles spent spring break playing nine rounds of golf over the span of 10 days, winning the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships in Sorrento, Fla., and then traveling back to Georgia for the Jekyll Island Invitational.
The UAA Championships were held on March 9 and 10 at the 6,768-yard, par-72 RedTail Golf Club. Emory secured the win after a strong second day of play for a total score of 582 (294-288), a comfortable nine-shot lead over Rochester who took home second place.
“It’s always good to get the trophy back in Atlanta,” Head Coach John Sjoberg said. “We played well, and it was our best back-to-back round of the year. We were clipped last year by Rochester so it was a great start to the break and build some momentum.”
Freshman Colby Hipp fired impressive rounds, leading both the team and the leaderboard with a 1st place finish of 143 (71-72). Along with medalist honors, Hipp was named the UAA Rookie of the Year. Junior Alex Wunderlich finished just behind Hipp in a tie for 2nd place at 144 (71-73).
“I was very close to having to go back to the range and warm up again for a playoff against my teammate,” Hipp said. “That tough situation is one we as a team want in every tournament we compete in, because that means there is a good chance that we’re going to take home the team trophy regardless. I think the win gives us a little more vision and focus moving forward. Our best days are still ahead of us.”
Senior Johnathan Chen followed with a score of 145 (72-73), good for a fifth place finish in the 28-player field. With their scores, Hipp, Wunderlich and Chen all received First Team All-UAA Honors. Senior Will Roth’s card of 151 (80-71) was good for Second Team All-UAA Honors.
Senior Alec Berens rounded out the scores with 153 (79-74). In addition, playing as an individual, freshman Sam Nichamin made his college debut at the tournament with a score of 154 (77-77).
“It was a lot of fun to play well as a team with everybody posting solid scores and getting their games back on track,” said Wunderlich. “I think we all learned a lot about what we need to work on in order to perform at the level that we need to be at, and over the next couple weeks we should be able to get ourselves ready to make a run at winning our home tournament.”
At the Jekyll Island Invitational, the team tied for 20th place of 30 teams after the conclusion of three rounds at the 6,700 yard, par-72 Pine Lakes course.
Chen led the team with 222 (70-76-76), good for a 22nd place tie of 150 players. Berens shot 233 (78-74-81), closely followed by Wunderlich at 235 (79-75-81.)
Roth (80-81-75-236) and Hipp (74-80-83–237) rounded out the Eagles’ scores.
With the UAA win under their belt, the team looks to their home tournament as they host the Emory Spring Invitational held on April 7-8. In the next couple weeks, Sjoberg says the team will be focusing on their game within 100 yards, working on their short irons, chipping and putting.
“We’re putting in the work and excited about playing at home,” said Chen. “The Emory Invitational is always a good tournament, but with three seniors on the team it is especially important to us to take home another win and prove we’re a top team.”
– By Seanette Ting
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