ROME, NY - Utica University's men's and women's golf teams competed at the SUNY Poly Invitational on Monday at Teugega Country Club, with the Pioneer men turning in a historic team performance. Utica won the five-team men's competition with a four-player score of 286 (+6), the lowest team round in the program's available records dating back through the 2010-11 season. The Pioneers occupied each of the top three individual spots and another tying for 4th. On the women's side, Utica finished second among the two teams to complete team scoring, while sophomore
Claire Draper (Watertown, NY/Watertown) recorded the best single round of her collegiate career.
Koltin Pickell (Ellenville, NY/Ellenvlle) led the men's field on the 6,472-yard, par-70 layout, firing an even-par 70 to claim the individual title. The sophomore birdied the opening hole, gave the stroke back on the third, and then closed his round with 15 consecutive pars.
Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Blyth Academy) finished one stroke behind him in second with a 71 (+1), highlighted by three birdies, while
Jacob Martyniuk (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) claimed third with a 72 (+2). Martyniuk started red hot with birdies on holes one and nine, finishing the front nine two-under.
Louie Roman (Oswego, NY/Oswego) gave Utica its fourth golfer among the event's top four positions, tying for fourth after a 73 (+3).
Daniel Maloney (Syracuse, NY/Living Word Academy) rounded out the Pioneer lineup in 12th with a 77 (+7), adding three birdies of his own. As a whole, the Pioneers had an elite front nine, including only par or better for all five golfers on holes 5-7, and each golfer entering the last nine holes no worse than two strokes above par. The four counting rounds of 70, 71, 72, and 73 combined for Utica's 286, establishing a new low across the program records currently available back to 2010-11.
The Pioneer women posted a team score of 366 (+78) on the 5,550-yard, par-72 setup, finishing second behind Hamilton. St. Lawrence also competed with two individuals but did not meet the four-golfer minimum for a team score. Draper paced Utica with an 83 (+11) to place sixth, bettering her previous collegiate single-round low. She carded birdies on the first and 11th holes while improving from a 43 on the front nine to a 40 on the back. Freshman
Megan Wright (Cold Brook, NY/Oriskany) followed in eighth with a 91 (+19), while seniors
Jordan Dorrity (Constableville, NY/South Lewis Central) and
Sianna Kenyon (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) each shot 96 (+24) to tie for 10th. Dorrity highlighted her round with a birdie on the par-three seventh.
Both squads return to action tomorrow, October 1st, in a home dual match against SUNY Delhi. Tee times are set to begin at 1:30 pm at the Yahnundasis Golf Club.
