by Bryan Gross
Last weekend, the UR golf team disappointed as it began defending last year?s University Athletic Association Championship title at the Cornell-Colgate Fall Invitational Sept. 6 and 7.
It was a good experience for the Yellowjackets, who found themselves in a deep hole after the first day of competition, shooting a dismal team score of 334.
UR bounced back Sunday with an impressive team score of 314, catapulting them past five teams ahead of them, to finish 13th out of 19 teams. Led by senior captain Joe Quijano, who tied for 27th in the tournament by shooting a 78-81-159, the Yel-lowjackets finished the tournament on an uplifting note.
Returning sophomore Dave Masters led the team on Sunday, shooting a stunning three over par 75 at the Colgate course.
His final 161 tied for 40th out of 99 players.
Junior Jason Bronstein also added to the Yellowjackets comeback on the second day, showing a 79 on his scorecard to finish the tournament at 163. Junior Mike Qui-jano shot a 86-84-170 for his return to the team.
While the opening tournament?s outcome was a small disappointment, UR bounced back to finish strong. With six returning lettermen, the members said that it was important to keep the team chemistry and enthusiasm from last year.
According to Joe Quijano, the team returned the same core group of guys and they ?are a really close group ? close friends ? and it?s good to be in a positive playing environment [with them].
?This tournament doesn?t reflect how hard we practice and our abilities. We need to trust our skills and let them take over,? he continued.
While this weekend?s defeat was disappointing to the squad, coach Rich Johnson thinks the tournament at Williams College starting Sept. 23 is sure to be ?a good test for us to gauge our strength when they face the strongest field they?ll see all year.?
Bryan Gross can be reached at bgross@campustimes.org.
