Tyler Geatens led the scoring with another 78, edging teammate and fellow Williamstown High graduate Stephen Burek's 79. The light drizzle didn't deter the Runners from shooting their low round of the year (326) and besting the official tournament champions, CC Morris (359), by 33 strokes.
Figuring in the scoring for the Runners were Geatens, Burek, Jacob Bruno (84), and Mike Marconi (85). R. Salan (79) of Morris was the official medalist of the tournament, despite Tyler Geaten's unofficial 78 due to the Roadrunners' status as a club team.
"Again, we are grateful to Region XIX for the opportunity to play at Ashbrook and be part of the Region Tournament despite our club status," said Coach Davidson. "Being able to play as much as we have this year has certainly helped our guys to enjoy intercollegiate sports and to play some of the finer courses in the state. We again congratulate the official champions and medalists, but take comfort in knowing that we have a solid enough team to be able to both compete and win.
"Tyler and Steve managed to stay focused despite some frustratingly slow play in front of them and post sub-80 rounds. Jake and Mike got to play together along with Freddie Ramos and pushed each other all day. I was pleased with how all of our players rebounded from bad shots and tough holes, which was what really made the difference in the round for us."
Captain Mike Marconi commented: "I'm really glad we had the opportunity to play this year. Even though it wasn't exactly a normal season, it was better than anything I thought it would have been. I enjoyed playing and practicing with my teammates and having the chance to demonstrate some leadership.
Tournament Preview
The official winner was Morris with a 349 in the tournament held at Flanders Valley Country Club. The official low score was Andrew Murray of Morris - 83.
"Our congratulations to Morris CC and Andrew Murray -- and we appreciate the opportunity to play today," said Coach Davidson. "As an institution we were far more concerned with offering our students the opportunity to play golf, regardless of their full-time or part-time status as students.
"Some of our golfers were left with some tough decisions this year as to whether to focus solely on their education or to work to support themselves during this pandemic. The decision to compete as a club allowed those students to blend those responsibilities and still compete as a team."
Davidson was impressed with Tyler Geaton's performance and hopes his team's efforts continue in the Region Championships Monday and Tuesday.
"Tyler put on a bit of a show at times," said Davidson. "Because our golfers were paired together Coach Linda Maher and I got to follow the action far more closely yesterday. On the par 5, 541yd 17th, we watched Tyler hit his drive 290 yards over trees into a stiff wind and follow that shot with a pure fairway wood that went 12 feet past the hole. His power was on full display yesterday, but it was his scrambling skills that truly enabled him to post that 78...he was up and down from everywhere"
Watch for team and individual results later today from the Region XIX Tournament.
"While the team was disappointed to not be able to contend for the individual and team titles," noted Davidson, "they understood that the tradeoff was being able to play another quality golf course with teammates who would not have been able to participate this year had we not competed as a club."