Junior Dave Masters stayed hot for a second consecutive tournament, leading the golf team to a fourth place tie at the Mid-Atlantic Region Classic April 13 and 14.
After finishing Sunday in seventh place out of 15 teams, UR made a strong comeback on the final day to move into a tie for fourth with regional rival York College.
Masters finished in second place individually, shooting a 9-over 151. The only golfer to score lower than him over the two days was defending Division III National Champion Chris Noll of Wesley College. Noll finished with a seven-stroke lead, shooting a combined 144.
It was Masters’ second top-three finish in as many tournaments. On April 6, he placed third overall at the Kenyon Cup with a 151.
“Everything has just started to click for me,” Masters said. “I am feeling really comfortable and relaxed [on the course] which has enabled me to put up some solid scores the past couple of weeks.”
Head coach Rich Johnson was pleased with Masters’ recent dominance as well.
“Dave’s long game, short game and putting have all fallen into place,” Johnson said. “After struggling a little bit over Spring Break, he’s back to where we’re used to seeing him.”
Senior Mike Quijano helped fuel the Yellowjackets’ come-from-behind surge on the second day, shooting a 2-over 73. He finished the tournament with a score of 156, good for an 11th-place tie with Wesley’s Adam Frank.
One of the team’s best and most consistent players, Quijano showed once again why he is one of the UR team leaders.
“Mike is our captain, and he’s captain for a reason,” Johnson said. “He always sets a good example by his play.”
The Yellowjackets are off until April 25 when they host the Fred B. Kravetz Invitational at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford.
UR finishes up its schedule April 28 and 29 at the University Athletic Association Championships hosted by Longue Vue Club in Penn Hills, Pa.
Johnson is optimistic about the remainder of the season and thinks that the Yellowjackets are capable of finishing strong and forcing the NCAA Tournament selection commitee to take a good hard look at them.
Gerton can be reached at mgerton@campustimes.org.
