With a victory over Williams, the top Division III team in New England, over spring break, the golf team is off to a strong start this season. At Indian Hills Golf Club in Port Pierce, Fla., the team carded a two-stroke victory (319-321) over the Ephs, with All-NESCAC golfer Dave Velardo ’08 leading all golfers with a two under par round of 70.
On a course the Cardinals played for the first time, Eli Wilson ’09 and captain Hal Tift ’06 recorded scores of 79 and 80 respectively to help propel the team to victory.
“In Florida the team really came together,” said Everett Tatelbaum ’09. “We spent a week living with each other, and I think it built chemistry. Against Williams we were tested. Dave really stepped up and led us to victory. He knows how to stay cool and sink the big putts.”
Velardo was the catalyst for the team all fall and recorded a 69 at the Skidmore Invitational, the lowest score by a Wesleyan golfer since Gary Barnett carded a 68 in 1972. In addition to his All-NESCAC honors, Velardo placed 49th of 225 at the New England Championships. Velardo also beat out 44 other entrants in the putting competition, establishing his reputation for a strong short game.
After returning from spring break, the team faced tough competition on April 7 in the Jack Barry Invitational in Plymouth, Mass. On a hard par-72 course, the team placed seventh of eleven teams, as no golfers recorded rounds under 80. Velardo was the top scorer for the team with an 83. Jeff Sillin ’07 (87), Wilson (88), Tift (90), and Tatelbaum (97) rounded out the top five for the Cards.
But the team rebounded on Monday against Nichols College the next week, with a 307-335 victory. Wilson recorded the top score with a 74, followed closely by Velardo, who carded a 75.
Last Thursday against Mass. College of Liberal Arts and Rhode Island College at Triggs Golf Club in Providence, RI, the team earned a split decision. Wesleyan strongly defeated Mass. College 328-349, but fell to Rhode Island College by four strokes. Wilson once again led the way with a round of 78, followed by Velardo with an 81.
Saturday the Cardinals head up to Williamstown for the Williams Opener followed by the Little Three Championships on Wednesday, April 26. The team has already beaten Williams once this season and hopes to accomplish the feat a few more times.
“I am looking forward to the Williams opener and Little Threes,” Velardo said. “I don’t think we beat Amherst in any tournaments in the fall. But we can definitely beat them this weekend and at Little Threes. Williams is still the heavy favorite, but we did pull off a huge upset in Florida.”
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