CANTON, NY - Utica University's men's and women's golf teams hit the road to open their 2026-27 season, traveling to the Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course in Canton, NY. Competing at the St. Lawrence University Invitational, the men placed 11th in the 13-team field, while the women did not record a team scorer, having just three golfers on day one of the event. Both squads are next set to return in Utica's home event, the Casler Masonry Invitational, on September 20th and 21st.

Playing on a 6,703-yard, par 72 course, the men's team turned in team scores of 319 and 307. Utica's four scoring golfers were the same across both days, led individually by senior Aydin Parekh (Nobleton, Ontario/Blyth Academy), who turned in rounds of +2 and +3, tying for 14th best across the Invitational. Behind Parekh was junior Louie Roman (Oswego, NY/Oswego), who shot +8 on the opening day. Closing out the Pioneer team scoring were Koltin Pickell (Ellenville, NY/Ellenvlle) and Daniel Maloney (Syracuse, NY/Living Word Academy), who shot +10 and +11, respectively, on day one. Sitting just outside of team scoring were seniors Jacob Martyniuk (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and Drake Morse (Grand Rapids, MI/East Grand Rapids), with rounds of +13 and +14. Day two saw tight Pioneer scoring, as after Parekh's +3 round, all five other Utica golfers shot either +5 or +6, with Roman and Pickell claiming the +5s.

The women's golf team also competed in the event, though they did not collect a team score or placement, as just three of the required four Pioneers participated on Saturday. The orange and blue's three golfers who did play both days finished ranked 34th, 35th, and 36th. Claire Draper (Watertown, NY/Watertown) led the way, by shooting +24 and +28 on the 5,830-yard, par 72 course. Close behind, and with the women's best single round, was senior Jordan Dorrity (Constableville, NY/South Lewis Central), who turned in a +36 scorecard on day one before jumping up to +22 on her second attempt at the course. Utica's third two-day scorer was fellow senior Sianna Kenyon (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy), with rounds of +41 and +33. The final Pioneer participant was freshman debutee Olivia Peckham (Shaftsbury, VT/Mt. Anthony Union), who shot +69 on Sunday.

Both squads will next return to action in a two-day home event on September 20th and 21st. The Casler Masonry Invitational will be hosted at the Yahnundasis Golf Club. Start times for the event will be announced at a later date.