College Golf
Rider at ECAC Fall Golf Championship
Buttermark Runner-Up / Broncs finish third
EGG HARBOR – The Rider University golf team placed third at the at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Fall Golf Championship held at the Twisted Dunes Golf Course September 29-30.
The Broncs finished with a team score of 645 after shooting a 312 on Monday. Rider shot a total score of 333 in the opening round on Sunday.
“The course played easier today, but we also played much better,” head coach Jason Barry said.
Senior James Buttermark (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) shot a 77, leaving him as the tournament runner-up (154) among the 27 golfers, six shots behind Monmouth's Brady Goodling who scored a 148 (71-77) and was the medalist.
Buttermark shot a 77 in the first round as well. He finished with the best par five scoring with a 4.63 (-3) and the second best par three score with a 3.25 (+2). He also finished tied for the second most birdies made with six.
“Buttermark struggled all day but birded his last three holes for a 77,” Barry said about his captain. “James is everything you want as a player and a leader of a team. He is technically very solid, cares about the team and never quits. He plays with heart and knows how to grind.”
Sophomore Tom Yarson (Montgomery) shot 161 (81-80) and finished tied for ninth.
Freshman Aaron Simone (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna) shot a second round 75. Simone shot an 89 in the first round and finished the tournament 12th with a score of 164.
“Aaron started with a double bogey but still shot a 75 which was very solid,” Barry said about the freshman. “Aaron is extremely talented. He is capable of going low in every round. This round was big for his confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start going low quite often.”
Freshman Sam DiGaetano (Titusville/Hopewell Valley Central) shot a final round of 80 on Monday for a two-day total of 167 to tie for 15th. DiGaetano also had the lone eagle of the tournament.
Junior Luke Liddell (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) finished the day with an 87. Liddell shot an 88 in the first round of the tournament. He finished the tournament in 22nd place.
Monmouth University won the tournament with a two-day total of 623 (307-316).
“We're disappointed not to win,” Barry said about the tournament. “That's the reason we compete week in and week out. We shot ourselves out of it yesterday but came back strong today. I'm really happy that we bounced back today. This team has so much talent and potential that it's scary. It's almost impossible not to keep improving.”
Fairfield University shot 640 (330-310) to finish five shots ahead of Rider. St. Francis (NY) shot 659 to finish fourth and UMass-Lowell shot 679 to place fifth.
The Broncs complete the fall season next week, traveling to Apalachin, N.Y. for the Binghamton Fall Invitational on Oct. 6-7.
“We're going to continue to work hard everyday at practice,” Barry said. “Our positive attitude as a team and willingness to grind is a huge asset and will keep allowing us to get better. Each tournament is a learning experience where we grow from our mistakes and work to improve our weaknesses.”
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