The Brandeis golf team finished in third place out of 16 teams at the Worcester State Invitational on Monday in their last match before the UAA League tournament.
Charles Sacks ’11 led the Judges, finishing in a tie for seventh place out of 78 athletes, with a score of 76 at four-over-par.
Sacks has been the leading golfer for the Judges in each of their four meets this spring. Also near the top was Aaron Cusato ’12, finishing with a six-over-par score of 78 in a tie for 13th place.
“It was out best finish in a field that big all year and because the two teams that beat us are powerhouses in the New England golf,” Cusato wrote in an email to The Hoot.
Captain Lee Bloom ’10, placed third for the Judges, finished with a score of 80 at eight-over-par.
Scott Beaulac ’12 tied for 38th place with a score of 86. Kyle Mangan ’12 finished two strokes behind Beaulac with a score of 88.
“We need to just keep on playing like we are because this is the best golf I have seen played in my four years here,” Bloom wrote in an e-mail to The Hoot.
Bloom said he was optimistic about the team’s chances at the UAA tournament, referencing their continually strong play in the regular season.
“I think everyone on the team wants to play their best and if everyone plays to their potential we will definitely be in a position [to] come out on top,” Bloom wrote.
The Judges record since the fall has been impressive as well. Monday’s third place finish at the Worcester State Invitational marked their fourth third place finish of the year.
The team, led by Head Coach Bill Shipman competed in tournaments throughout September and October before starting up their spring season April 11 at Dartmouth in the Corsair Invitational.
The Judges tied for sixth place out of 18 teams in their first contest of the Spring season, and their success has not slowed down.
“The biggest challenge so far this season was getting back into tournament mode after a long layoff. The transition back to tournament golf from just practicing is a big adjustment,” Cusato wrote.
Cusato explained that despite overall strong performances on the course, occasional high scores have prevented the team from performing at their best.
“I think we need to improve on limiting the damage on our bad holes,” Cusato wrote. “As a team we had a couple of big numbers that hurt our chances on really competing for the title,” he said referring to the Worcester State Invitational.
The UAA Championships will be hosted by the University of Rochester and will be held from April 25 to 26 at Locust Hill Country Club.
“Our biggest challenge will be UAA’s as I know we will put pressure on ourselves to play well because it is the last tournament of the season and for the foreseeable future of the golf program,” Bloom wrote.
