AMHERST, Mass. – Behind three top-10 finishes, the Endicott golf team claimed the 2016 Blazer Invitational team title this weekend at the Hickory Ridge Golf Club.
The Gulls recorded a team score of 618 (312-306) to edge Rhode Island College (628) who held the lead going into day two. Nichols College finished third overall (637), while Westfield State University placed fourth (639). Host Elms College rounded out the top-5 with a score of 642 (323, 319).
Individually, Athan Goulos (Peabody, Mass.) led the way for the Gulls with a first place finish, shooting a combined score of 148 (76,72) and a tournament leading 7 birdies.
Ben Palazzo (Farmington, Conn.) also contributed significantly for Endicott, finishing tied for fourth place, as the junior registered a two-day score of 155 (79, 76). In his first collegiate tournament, sophomore Corey Zegarzewski (Hope Valley, R.I.) finished tied for ninth place overall shooting a 157 (78,79).
Sophomore Christopher Billings (Portland, Maine) compiled a two-day score of 160 (81, 79) to rank tied for 14th place and junior Drew Benshoff (Concord, Mass.) registered a two-day score of 166 (79,87) to round out Endicott's top-5.
TOP QUOTE
"We knew it was a two horse race going to the final round today," said Endicott head coach Tom Smith. "We have always had challenging matches against Rhode Island College and it feels great to come out on the winning end today. I am very proud of the resilience our team showed."
BEYOND THE CARD
- Last season, Endicott finished tied for eighth place at the Blazer Invitational.
- Goulos, who led the field with a tournament high seven birdies, also parred 21 holes.
- Zegarzewski paced the entire field with 25 pars.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott returns to the links this Thursday, September 22nd to play in the UNE Invitational in Kennebunkport, Maine with the Gulls teeing off at 10am at the Cape Arundel Country Club. The team will then travel to Bangor, Maine on Saturday and Sunday for the Husson Invitational at the Bangor Municipal Golf Club. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
