Friday, October 22
Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./St. Andrews Golf Club
TBA
Columbia University
vs
125th Celebration of College Golf (Scrimmage)
Photo by: Joe Epstein
Columbia Tops Yale in 125th Anniversary Event
10/22/2021 9:19:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Lions won the holes-won format by a score of 15-2 in the exhibition match.
HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — The Columbia men's golf team defeated Yale in an exhibition competition on the 125th anniversary of the first collegiate golf match played in the United States. The schools played in a holes-won format, which was the same used as when the original event took place. The Lions earned a 15-2 victory after topping the Bulldogs in 4-of-7 pairings.
"I think the event was a tremendous success," Columbia Director of Golf Rich Mueller said after the win. "The sportsmanship between the teams was really evident. The buy-in to all the historical features of the tournament was also evident. It was also wonderful to re-write a little bit of history and I'm happy for our team for how hard they are working and how patient they've stayed. This is a really big moment for us, even though it technically doesn't count, it's something that counts for Columbia University and the game of golf."
The teams teed off in pairings beginning at 12 p.m. at Saint Andrew's Golf Club. Each duo competed head-to-head, similar to match-play. However, each grouping completed all 18 holes and the difference in holes won went to a team score.
Sophomore Alvin Kwak was in the first group and earned a 7-4 win over Yale's Robert You, which gave the Lions an early 3-0 advantage. In group two, first-year DJ Francey topped the Bulldogs' Blake Brantley, 9-5, to extend the margin to 7-0. After Pat Healy and Ben Carpenter battled to a 7-7 draw, Yale earned its first point after Gabriel Ruiz edged Daniel Core, 4-3.
"I love match play, but this was even better because you have to play all the way through because every point counts," Kwak said. "I was up three up with two holes to go, but I knew being in the first group I needed to keep that margin up, so I just kept grinding."
Wyatt McGovern was next to finish his round and picked up a 5-2 win against Sho Wai Wu to make it 10-1. William Sung fell in another closely-contested contest, 4-3. Nathan Han sealed the team triumph with a strong 7-2 win over Teddy Zinsner.
"It was very special, especially with the rich history between the schools, it was an honor to be a part of," Franchey said. "It was also a great confidence booster going into our next tournament. We're starting to get in a nice groove and we're going to try and keep the momentum going and head into the spring on a high note."
"I can't believe I was lucky enough to be at Columbia for this anniversary," said Kwak. "Creating history is unreal. I couldn't ask for anything better, and doing it with this team means so much."
The Lions' final tournament of the fall will be from the Metropolitan Collegiate Invite at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, NJ, running from October 31 – November 2.
"I think the event was a tremendous success," Columbia Director of Golf Rich Mueller said after the win. "The sportsmanship between the teams was really evident. The buy-in to all the historical features of the tournament was also evident. It was also wonderful to re-write a little bit of history and I'm happy for our team for how hard they are working and how patient they've stayed. This is a really big moment for us, even though it technically doesn't count, it's something that counts for Columbia University and the game of golf."
The teams teed off in pairings beginning at 12 p.m. at Saint Andrew's Golf Club. Each duo competed head-to-head, similar to match-play. However, each grouping completed all 18 holes and the difference in holes won went to a team score.
Final from St. Andrew's! LIONS WIN!
— Columbia Men's Golf Team (@CULionsMGolf) October 22, 2021
A redemption win 125 years in the making.#RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/BcraFLGZcN
Sophomore Alvin Kwak was in the first group and earned a 7-4 win over Yale's Robert You, which gave the Lions an early 3-0 advantage. In group two, first-year DJ Francey topped the Bulldogs' Blake Brantley, 9-5, to extend the margin to 7-0. After Pat Healy and Ben Carpenter battled to a 7-7 draw, Yale earned its first point after Gabriel Ruiz edged Daniel Core, 4-3.
"I love match play, but this was even better because you have to play all the way through because every point counts," Kwak said. "I was up three up with two holes to go, but I knew being in the first group I needed to keep that margin up, so I just kept grinding."
Wyatt McGovern was next to finish his round and picked up a 5-2 win against Sho Wai Wu to make it 10-1. William Sung fell in another closely-contested contest, 4-3. Nathan Han sealed the team triumph with a strong 7-2 win over Teddy Zinsner.
"It was very special, especially with the rich history between the schools, it was an honor to be a part of," Franchey said. "It was also a great confidence booster going into our next tournament. We're starting to get in a nice groove and we're going to try and keep the momentum going and head into the spring on a high note."
"I can't believe I was lucky enough to be at Columbia for this anniversary," said Kwak. "Creating history is unreal. I couldn't ask for anything better, and doing it with this team means so much."
Ready to go at St. Andrews!#RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/IS1mOyU5nM
— Columbia Men's Golf Team (@CULionsMGolf) October 22, 2021
The Lions' final tournament of the fall will be from the Metropolitan Collegiate Invite at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, NJ, running from October 31 – November 2.
Players Mentioned
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