NOR'EASTERS TAKE 3RD AT UNE INVITATIONAL

Recap, photo courtesy of UNE

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine -- Individual rounds of 73, 74, and 74 helped the University of New England claim 3rd place out of the six teams competing in the UNE Invitational on Thursday (Sep. 22) at Cape Arundel Golf Club.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine won the title for the second straight year, posting a tournament-record 291 at the course which has hosted the event since 2011. And for a second time in his career, Mike Caron of SJC earned medalist honors with an even-par 69 -- one better than Tom Murray of the University of Southern Maine.

Endicott College took 2nd at 298, while the Nor'easters (302) were followed by USM (303) and the University of Maine-Farmington (303) to round out the top five.

For UNE, Sam Kinasewich, Ryan Mahoney, and Michael Rich led the effort with the scores in the 70's. Brendan Foley completed the total with an 81.

Big Blue will be at the Thomas College Invitational on Sunday at Waterville Country Club.

Eagles Finish Second at River Greens Spring Classic

AVON PARK, Fla. – The 2015 North Atlantic Conference Champions open up their spring schedule with a second place finish at the River Greens Spring Classic hosted by Webber International University at the River Greens Golf Course on Wednesday. The Eagles finished with a total score of 324.

Daulton Wickenden shot a round of 74 on the day to lead the Eagles. His round was good enough for a tie for second overall on the individual leaderboard. Greg Martin tied for seventh after shooting a 77. Cam Clark shot an 85 for a 16th place finish. Taylor Morang tied for 20th with an 88. Philip Thome finished 23rd after shooting a round of 91. Steve Mahon shot a 112 and Tommy Favreau shot a 115 to round out the field.

Webber International won the tournament with a total of 297, followed by Husson and Baldwin Wallace University (329) rounding out the top three.

"The guys played well and battled the 20 to 30 mph wind all day," Head Coach Mike Dugas said. "Daulton Wickenden played like he was right out of fall. Had his putter been hot he would have been medalist easily. I was extremely proud of Greg Martin who battled back from two early Triple bogies to post a top ten finish. This was a great start to our spring season and run to the NCAA Championship."

The Eagles will return to the golf course at the 45th Annual Marine Federal Credit Union Intercollegiate Golf Championship on March 31 through April 3 on the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Shawn Francoeur Leads Southern Maine at 2015 GNAC Golf Championship

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass.  – Junior Shawn Francoeur (Windham, Maine) placed in the top ten individually to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a sixth place finish at the 2015 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Golf Championship hosted by UMass Dartmouth at the Allendale Country Club this weekend.

         With Francoeur leading the way, Southern Maine finished sixth out of the nine competing schools with a two-day team score of 674 (334-340).  Rhode Island College collected its fifth consecutive championship with a score of 635 (313-322) to finish nine strokes better than second place Worcester State University with a 644 (319-325).  Host institution UMass Dartmouth placed third with a score of 649 (321-328), followed by Johnson & Wales University in fourth with a score of 654 (324-330).  St. Joseph's College placed fifth totaling a team score of 664 (330-334).

         Francoeur fired a two-round total of 162 (80-82) to place in a two-way tie for 10th place out of 45 golfers.  Francoeur finished the tournament 18 strokes over par at the par-72 Allendale course. Junior captain Tom Murray (Bangor, Maine) tied for 20th shooting a steady 84 on both days of the tournament to card a 168.  Junior Alex Carroll (Searsport, Maine) and freshman Shaun McKinnon (Rocky Hill, Conn.) tied for 26th each turning in identical scores of 172, shooting an 85 on day one and an 87 on day two.  Junior Joseph Francoeur (Windham, Maine) rounded out the Huskies' golfers scoring a 178 (91-87) to place tied for 33rd.

         The Huskies are off until they compete at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship.  The NEIGA Championship is hosted at the Captains' Golf Course in Brewster, Mass. on Sunday and Monday, October 25-26.

MGOLF: Martin, Wickenden sweep NAC weekly honors‏

WHITINGHAM, Vt. - For the second time in three weeks, Husson senior Greg Martin and freshman Daulton Wickenden have been named the North Atlantic ConferenceMen's Golfer and Rookie of the Week, respectively, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

Martin took medalist honors for the second-consecutive season at the NAC Men's Golf Championship this past weekend. The Ellsworth, Maine, native shot an impressive one-over par, 71, on Day 2, which added to his 73 on Day 1 for a two-day total of 144. The Eagles claimed their 10th conference Championship title in 12 years with a two-day total of 632 (312-320).

Wickenden earned a second-place finish at the 2015 NAC Men's Golf Championship this past weekend. The Rockport, Maine, product shot a two-day total of 149 (73-76), which placed him just five strokes behind Martins.

Husson claimed the 2015 title and berth into the 2016 NCAA Division III National Championship.

MGOLF: Husson wins 10th NAC title in 12 years‏

RUTLAND, Vt. – Husson held a two-stroke advantage after the opening day of play and never looked back, as the Eagles claimed their 10th North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship title in 12 years with a two-day total of 632 at the Rutland Country Club. Despite the tough conditions, the Eagles managed to record an impressive 312 in the opening round before posting a 320 on the final day to secure an automatic berth in the 2016 NCAA Championship set for May 12-15 at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C. Last year's NAC champion, Salem State (Mass.), ended 18 strokes behind the Eagles. Husson's Greg Martin turned in the best score of the tournament (144) after shooting a one-over 71 on Saturday to take home his second-straight NAC individual championship and Golfer of the Year honor. Fellow Eagle, Daulton Wickenden, tallied the second best score of the day with a six-over 76 and finished second overall with a 149. Each player earned a first team All-NAC honor. Philip Thome finished 16th for Husson with a 169, just ahead of Cam Clark, who shot a 170. Thomas Favreau was 26th with a 185.

Bates Men's golf wins second straight CBB tournament

Alex Stekler helped Bates men's golf win its second consecutive CBB tournament on Oct. 10, 2015. (File photo by Sarah Crosby/Bates College)

AUBURN, Maine -- The Bates men's golf team displayed impressive depth on Saturday in winning its second consecutive CBB Tournament at the Bobcats' home Martindale Country Club. Bates' five-man score of 414 topped Bowdoin's 420 and Colby's 426.

Sophomore Spencer Pierce (Winnetka, Ill.) led the Bobcats with a score of 81 four off of individual leader Thomas Spagnola of Bowdoin (77). Junior captain Brad Rutkin (Great Neck, N.Y.), sophomore Jay Bennett-Saltzman (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and first-year Liam McLoughlin (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) all carded 83's, and junior captain Alex Stekler (Avon, Conn.) closed out Bates' tight pack with an 84 -- seven strokes ahead of Colby's No. 5 player and 11 strokes ahead of Bowdoin's.

Rutkin ties for third place at NESCAC Men's Golf Championship Fall Qualifier

Brad Rutkin earned All-NESCAC honors by tying for third place at the NESCAC Men's Golf Championship Fall Qualifier on Oct. 4, 2015 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. (File photo by Sarah Crosby/Bates College)

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Junior captain Brad Rutkin tied for third place among 50 individuals, leading the Bates men's golf team to a seventh-place finish out of 10 teams as the NESCAC Men's Golf Championship Qualifier concluded Sunday at Taconic Golf Club.

Rutkin (Great Neck, N.Y.) finished 10 strokes over par over the two days at 152, carding a 75 on Saturday and a 77 on Sunday. Only Scott Guidotti (148) and Reid Buzby (151) of tournament winner Middlebury fared better in the field.

Rutkin will receive his first NESCAC All-Conference award for placing in the top 10 at the tournament, becoming Bates' first All-NESCAC performer since Garrett Johnson in 2013.

Bates' four-man, two-day combined score of 654 put the Bobcats seven strokes behind sixth-place Tufts and 32 strokes ahead of eighth-place Wesleyan. Bates finished eighth at the tournament a year ago. Colby and Bowdoin tied for ninth place.

The tournament's top four teams -- Middlebury, Trinity, Hamilton and Amherst -- will play for the conference title in the spring at Middlebury.

Competing in his first collegiate tournament, first-year Liam McLoughlin (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) tied for 29th place overall and was second on the team with a two-day score of 166, including a 79 on Saturday. Sophomore Matt Marcus (Newton, Mass.) and junior captain Alex Stekler (Avon, Conn.) both shot 80s on Sunday, putting Marcus in a tie for 31st place at 167 and Stekler in 34th place at 169. Sophomore Spencer Pierce (Winnetka, Ill.) submitted a 184 over two days.

Bates hosts the CBB Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Martindale Country Club in Auburn.

Butkevich, Rich listed in CCC weekly honors

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- University of New England men's golf members Paul Butkevich and Mike Rich have been named as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Golfer of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively, for the period ending September 27.

Butkevich paced the Nor'easters over the weekend at the Husson Invitational, as UNE finished tied for third in the 11-team field. The senior logged rounds of 71 and 75 for an eight-over-par total of 146 and 3rd place individually.

Rich totaled 162 with a pair of 81's and contributed to Big Blue's day one score.

For Butkevich, it marks the second conference award of the season.

For the complete release of the CCC weekly award recipients, click HERE.

Southern Maine Finishes Third at Husson University Invitational

BANGOR, Maine – Juniors Tom Murray (Bangor, Maine) and Shawn Francoeur (Windham, Maine) each finished tied for 10th place to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a third place finish at the 2015 Husson University Invitational this weekend at the Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

Southern Maine finished in a two-way tie for third place with the University of New England. The Huskies totaled a team score of 615 (310-305) to finish third out of 12 teams in the two-day, 36-hole tourney.  St. Joseph's College won the event with a team score of 600 (299-301), while host Husson University placed second with a score of 601 (300-301).  Husson's Greg Martin was the individual medalist placing first out of 60 golfers with a two-day score of 139 (67-72).

Murray and Francoeur each carded a 152 to place Southern Maine.  Murray opened the tourney firing a 78 and coming back for a 74 on the second day. Francoeur shot a solid 75 on day one and turned in a 77 on day two. Junior Alex Carroll (Searsport, Maine) was the Huskies' third finisher with a score of 154 to place 15th overall.  Junior Joseph Francoeur (Windham, Maine) placed 20th with a score of 157 (82-75), while freshman Shawn McKinnon (Rocky Hill, Conn.) rounded out the scoring with a two-day total of 172 (86-86) to place 48th.

Southern Maine returns to action on Thursday, October 1 (10:00 a.m.) at the Maine Maritime Academy Invitational hosted by the Augusta Country Club in Augusta, Maine.

Saint Joseph’s Wins Husson Invitational

BANGOR, Maine – Saint Joseph's College maintained a one-stroke lead to win the 2015 Husson University Invitational at Bangor Municipal Golf Course on Sunday. The Monks posted a 299 card on Saturday and a 301 score on Sunday to edge the host-Eagles, 600-601 in the annual event.

Freshman Cam Letourneau (Hebron, Maine) led the Monks with a 147 (74-73) card and finished in a tie for fifth individually. First-year Adam Hachey (Winthrop, Maine) placed ninth with a 149 (75-74) while junior Michael Caron (Gorham, Maine) and freshman Adam Batchelder (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) tied for 10th with 152 cards (74-78 & 76-76, respectively).

For the Monks, the tourney victory is the team's third-consecutive triumph and fourth of the 2015 campaign overall.

Husson's Greg Martin claimed medalist honors for the third time in four years after shooting a 139 (67-72) while Brad Rutkin of Bates College was the runner-up with a 141 (70-71).

University of New England (615, 307-308) and Southern Maine (615, 308-307) finished in a tie for third, Bowdoin College was fifth (625, 307-318), Castleton State placed sixth (628, 309-319) and Bates College finished seventh (630, 314-316). Maine Maritime (634, 315-319), Maine-Farmington (665, 336-329), Colby College (692, 344-348), Maine Presque-Isle (692, 354-338) and Thomas College (702, 354-348) also competed in this year's Husson Invitational.

Saint Joseph's has never before won the Husson Invitational, a tournament in which the Monks have participated in 12 of the last 15 seasons. The team's previous top finish in the event was a runner-up effort in 1999.

The Eagles entered this year's invite having won the program's hosted event in each of the last six times it was held with 12 wins in the last 15 years overall.

Saint Joseph's will participate in the Southern Maine Cup, which features a Ryder Cup format, at Gorham Country Club on Friday, October 2nd.

Rutkin places second out of 63 players at two-day Husson Invitational

ORONO, Maine -- Junior captain Brad Rutkin took second place out of 63 individual players, leading the Bates men's golf team to seventh place among 12 teams at the two-day Husson Invitational, which concluded Sunday at Penobscot Valley Country Club.

Rutkin (Great Neck, N.Y.) shot a 1-over-par 70 on Saturday and followed with a 71 on Sunday for a two-day 141, outscoring all players but Husson's Greg Martin (139).

Sophomore Matt Marcus (Newton, Mass.) finished in 14th place after carding a 75 on Sunday for a two-day 153. Junior captain Alex Stekler (Avon, Conn.) and junior Tom Garone (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) tied for 41st place at 169.

St. Joseph's took first place with a combined score of 600. Bates shot a 630, two strokes behind Castleton (628) and four ahead of Maine Maritime (634).

Bates next competes at the Maine Maritime Invitational on Thursday at Augusta Country Club, followed by the NESCAC Championship Fall Qualifier at Williams on Oct. 3-4.

MGOLF: Martin wins Husson Invitational‏

BANGOR, Maine - The Eagles' Greg Martin shot a plus-one over the course of two days to win the Husson Invitational, held at Bangor Municipal Golf Course. Husson tallied a 601 (300-301) and finished second overall by one stroke to Saint Joseph's (Maine).

Martin has won three of the four tournaments this year in which he has played.

"I'm happy with the way that I played this weekend," Martin said. "I'm proud of the way that the guys grinded it out in tough conditions. I'm excited to see the way the team will perform later this year at the NAC Tournament."

Martin totaled a 139 (67-72) on the par-69, 6,187-yard course. Daulton Wickenden tied for fifth with a 147 (73-74). Philip Thome was seven strokes better Sunday than the day before and tied for 22nd with a 159 (83-76). Devin Lyshon tied for 25th with a 160 (81-79). Cam Clark tied for 31st with a 163 (79-84).

Husson's Thomas Favreau tied for 45th after compiling a 171 (86-85). Devin Stewart came up with a 204 (99-105). Steve Mahon fired a 221 (109-112). All three players competed as individuals.

The Monks totaled a 600 (299-301) to win the team title.

Husson takes part in the Mariner Invitational, hosted by Maine-Maritime, on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Augusta Country Club in Augusta, Maine.

Men's Golf Places Fifth at Highly-Competitive Husson Invitational

Martin Bernard finished in a tie for 17th this weekend at the Husson Invitational

BANGOR, Maine - The Bowdoin College men's golf team posted one its most impressive finishes of the season by taking fifth place at the Husson Invitational this weekend at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

The Polar Bears placed fifth in a highly-competitive field of 12 squads.

How It Happened

• Thomas Spagnola again led the way for Bowdoin, placing third overall with a two-day score of 146 (71-75)
• Martin Bernard finished in a tie for 17th with a score of 156 (76-80) 
• Bowdoin's scorers were rounded out by Kevin Perron (162), Isaiah West (163) and Tyler Chonoles (170).
• The Polar Bears finished at 625 as a team, 10 strokes off of a tie for 3rd place and 25 shots behind winning squad St. Joseph's.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will return to action next weekend at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Mass., for the 2015 NESCAC Fall Qualifier

UNE in fourth midway through Husson Invitational

BANGOR, Maine -- Paul Butkevich posted a two-over-par 71 to pace the University of New England men's golf squad to a team total of 308 and the fourth position after Round 1 of the Husson University Invitational, which was played Saturday (Sep. 26) at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

Saint Joseph's College was the only team to log four rounds in the 70's and set the lead at 299, one ahead of the host Eagles (300), who received the low individual score (67) from Greg Martin.

Bowdoin College (307) stands one up on the Nor'easters, with Castleton University (309) and the University of Southern Maine (310) in close pursuit. Bates College and Maine Maritime Academy are also within striking distance heading into Round 2, 15 strokes (314) off the pace in the 11-team field.

Butkevich shares third place in the individual competion of 55 golfers. Ryan Mahoney and Sam Kinasewich came in with scores of 78 to support UNE, and Mike Rich rounded out the team mark with an 81.

Sunday's play is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Men's Golf Places Eighth at Maine State Championship

Thomas Spagnola finished in a tie for tenth place at the Maine State Championship

POLAND, Maine  - The Bowdoin College men's golf team finished eighth at the 2015 Maine State Intercollegiate Golf Tournament hosted this weekend at Fairlawn Golf Club.


The Polar Bears totaled 654 over the two-day tournament. St. Joseph's College won the title with a team score of 607.

 
How It Happened

• Thomas Spagnola led Bowdoin with a two-day score of 155, highlighted by one of the tournament's  best rounds on Saturday (73).
• Spagnola finished in a tie for tenth place individually.
• Martin Bernard ended in a tie for 17th with a score of 158 (80-78).
• Kevin Perron (173), Tyler Chonoles (175) and Jay Vaidya (176) rounded out the Bowdoin finishers

Up Next

• Bowdoin will travel to the Bangor Golf Club next Saturday and Sunday for the Husson Invitational.

MGOLF: Martin voted NAC Men's Golfer of Week‏

WHITINGHAM, Vermont - Husson senior Greg Martin has been named the North Atlantic Conference Men's Golfer of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

The Ellsworth, Maine, native took the top spot in two tournament - John Queenan Memorial and Bowdoin Invitational - last week. Martin shot a 71 on Tuesday and became the ninth different Eagle golfer to win the Queenan crown. He shot a 70 on day one and 75 on day two to record a 145, two strokes better than the two second-place finishers.

MGOLF: Martin wins 2015 Bowdoin Invitational‏

BRUNSWICK, Maine - Husson's Greg Martin took home top individual medalist honors at the Bowdoin Invitational, hosted by Bowdoin College, at the Brunswick Golf Club.

Martin shot a 75 on the day two for total score of 145 to lead the Eagles to a fifth place overall finish with a team score of 627.

Other Eagles who placed were Daulton Wickenden in 6th with a two day total score of 151 after shooting a 74 on the day, Phillip Thome shot a 80 on the day to tie for 34th with a total score of 162, Cam Clark in 41st with a total score of 169 and Devon Stewart in 80th with a total score of 220. Clark shot a 85 and Stewart a 108 on day.

Endicott won the invitational with a total score of 607.

The Eagles will look to defend their State of Maine Intercollegiate Golf Championship when they return to action on Saturday, September 19 when they travel to Fairlawn Golf & Country Club in Poland, Maine for the 2015 MEGIA Championship.

MGOLF: Martin leads after Day One at Bowdoin Invitational‏

BRUNSWICK, Maine - Husson's Greg Martin sits a top of the leaderboard after day one of the Bowdoin Invitational, hosted by Bowdoin College, at the Brunswick Golf Club.

Martin shot a 70 on the day as the Eagles finished the day in fifth place overall with a team score of 308.

Other Eagles who scored on the day were Daulton Wickenden who sits tied for 15th with a score of 77, Phillip Thome sits tied 34th with a score of 82, Cam Clark sits 41st with a score of 84 and Devon Stewart sits 62nd with a score of 112.

Providence College leads after day one with a score of 300.

Day two of the Bowdoin Invitational will tee off bright and early Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 am at Brunswick Golf Club in Brunswick, Maine.

MGOLF: Martin Wins the 13th Annual John Queenan Memorial Tournament

CASCO, Maine - Husson University Senior Greg Martin took home individual medalist honors at the 13^thAnnual John Queenan Memorial Tournament at the Point Sebago Golf Resort in Casco Maine.

Martin shot a 71 on day to lead the Eagles to a fourth place overall finish with a team score of 323. He became the ninth different Eagles' golfer to win the Queenan crown.

Other Eagles who placed were Daulton Wickenden 8^th with a score of 79, Phillip Thome 13^th with a score of 81, Cam Clark 26^th with a score of 92 and Steve Mahon 30^th with a score of 112.

Southern Maine won the tournament with a score of 315 followed by the University of New England and Saint Joseph's (Maine) who tied for 2^nd with 318.

The Eagles return to action on September 12^th when they travel to Brunswick Golf Club in Brunswick, Maine for the Bowdoin Invitational.

MGOLF: Husson picked second in NAC Preseason Poll‏

WHITINGHAM, Vermont - Husson has been picked to finish second in the 2015 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Tuesday.

The Eagles received 55 total points and three first place votes in the poll. Second-year head coach Mike Dugasis looking to guide his team to its ninth league title in 10 seasons after the program won eight straight from 2006-13.

The men's golf team won three tournaments and finished second in the NAC in 2014. Dugas coached Greg Martin to a NAC individual championship.

Salem State (Mass.) has been selected as the top men's golf team in the poll. The Vikings received a total of 57 points along with four first place votes, while Husson claimed second. Castleton (Vt.) took third with 50 points, and Maine Maritime earned fourth after garnering the remaining first place vote and a total of 39 points. Rounding out the poll were Maine-Farmington in fifth (31 points), Massachusetts-Liberal Arts in sixth (24 points), Green Mountain (Vt.) in seventh (17 points) and Johnson State (N.H.) in eighth (15 points).

The Eagles begin the season with the John Queenan Memorial, hosted by Saint Joseph's (Maine), on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Point Sebago Resort.

2015 NAC Men's Golf  Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1. Salem State	57 (4)
2. Husson	55 (3)
3. Castleton	50
4. Maine Maritime	39 (1)
5. UMaine-Farmington	31
6. MCLA	24
7. Green Mountain	17
8. Johnson State	15