The Dartmouth men's golf team got off to a strong yet snowy start at the misleading Yale Men's Spring Open. Jeronimo Esteve '04 produced rounds of 78 and 77 as the Big Green rounded out the top quarter of teams, finishing sixth of 24.
Marked by his tournament-high 23 pars, Esteve played a steady and consistent game. His two-day total of 155 was good enough for a team-leading 17th place.
Teammates Lee Birchall '02 and Stephen Gruber '05 were just two shots back. Birchall shot 80-77 -- and Gruber tallied 78-79 -- 157. Rounding out the scoring for the Big Green was Andy Pisacano with 81-80 -- 161.
"That course really grows on you," Gruber said of the Yale University Golf Club.
"I didn't like it the first time I played it, but this time around I began to see all the architectural features that make it a top-100 course."
Clearly, the cold conditions affected the Green.
"I've never played in the snow before, being from California and all," Gruber said.
"But I really enjoyed those last few moments of the first day when my lips were so numb that I couldn't even smile to laugh when I signed my score card; and I asked myself 'How the hell did you shoot that high!'"
The host Yale team turned away the visiting competition with a six-shot victory over second place over Hartford University. Bulldog superstar Alex Fulton obliterated the opposition, thanks to a stellar first round on his home grass, shooting 73-76 -- 149.
Central Connecticut State University, led by two golfers shooting day lows of 72, took a three-stroke lead into the second day of competition. The Blue Devils choked hard, however, as each of its two leading golfers butchered his second round, shooting at least ten strokes higher than the previous day's posting.
As for Dartmouth's plans in the near future, co-captain Birchall said, "With the bad weather right now we're focusing on preparation for Ivies in 2 weeks."
Dartmouth will be back in action on April 13-14, as the green-seekers enter the New England District One Championship, hosted by the University of Rhode Island.
The Dartmouth women's golf team finished fifth at the Boston College Invitational that concluded Sunday at Oyster Harbours Golf Club.
The Big Green had a two-day total of 695, just eight shots out of second place in the 14-team field. The ferocious Brown Bears scampered away with the team title, shooting 636 over the course of the two-day affair.
Kathy Birchall '04 (sister of men's co-captain Lee Birchall) had Dartmouth's low score with 84-81 -- 65, which was good for a tie in the seventh spot. Captain Vivian Lee '03 had rounds of 88-86 -- 174, while Shannon Rogers '04 was only a shot back after a tough second round at 83-92 -- 175.
The Big Green women have two weeks off before competing at the Ivy League Championship on April 20-21.
