The men's golf team fell flat last weekend at the Princeton Invitational hosted at the par-71 Springfield Golf Club. The team shot a 54-hole 905, putting them in 11th place in a field of 14, which was led by Yale's 858. It was a step backwards for the Bears after an impressive showing in their previous outing at the Yale Invitational, where Bruno finished only five strokes back of the Elis.
"It was a disappointing weekend," said captain J.D. Ardell '13. "We didn't play great last weekend (at the Yale Invitational) but we showed signs of potential to only lose by five to Yale. For them to go on and win (by 47 strokes) this weekend is very disappointing."
Brown came in last among the Ivies - the closest conference opponent was Cornell, which finished eight strokes ahead of Bruno. In the entire field, the Bears only beat out non-conference opponents Rutgers University, St. Joseph's University and Rider University.
"To finish last among the Ivies is very disappointing," said Head Coach Michael Hughes. "We were having a very hard time finishing our rounds. Against our competition, you have to finish out your rounds strong."
Hughes pointed out the "mental mistakes" in the final holes, which he said gave back strokes to the field.
"We could have finished with a 294 or 295, but against our competition you have to finish out - a 301 or 302 won't do it," Hughes said. "It's my job to make sure these mental mistakes don't become a problem. I thought we had a chance to shoot a good score, and unfortunately we didn't."
Remaining focused on the game, first-year Justin Miller '15 came in as Brown's top scorer yet again, placing 20th individually in the tournament with a 222 for the weekend, including a final round 71 - the only Brown player to break even in any round on the weekend.
Transfer student Nelson Hargrove '13.5 finished strongly in his second tournament for the Brown squad, coming in as the second lowest scorer with a 229.
"I think it bodes well that Nelson has entrenched himself here in the lineup," Hughes said. "He shot 76 Sunday with a few bogeys he could take back."
Ardell followed closely behind, carding a 231. Peter Callas '14, who shot 232, and Jon Greb '15, who shot 234, rounded out Brown's scoring.
The players will be able to fine-tune their game at the Century Classic April 21 and 22 in Westchester, N.Y., before they take on the rest of the Ivy League for the conference championship a week after.
"The more competitive rounds, the better," Ardell said. "We're all working towards preparing for the Ivies."
Members of the team are looking forward to the final weekend of the season, when they will travel to Absecon, N.J., to partake in the Ivy League Championship.
"Our season comes down to one weekend at Ivies," Ardell said. "We definitely have the talent to compete and win."
