BRUNSWICK, ME (April 27, 2024) -- The Tufts University men's golf squad fired a 296 on Saturday afternoon, trailing leading Bates College by just two strokes after the first day of play at the 2024 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championships at the 6,627-yard, par-72 Brunswick Golf Club in Brunswick, Maine.
The Jumbos, who are in search of their first ever NESCAC title, are in prime position after the first 18 holes of play as Tufts had four players shoot between 73 to 75. The consistency in scoring helped the Jumbos moved up the rankings throughout the day, as Tufts was eight-over par as a squad for the day. First-year
Nick McCabe was strong on Saturday afternoon, as the newcomer to the NESCAC Tournament shot a one-over 73 highlighted by 15 pars and a birdie on the par-5 12th hole. McCabe is tied for sixth heading into the second day of action, .
Senior
Jack Meehan is also in prime position after a solid round one, as he is tied for 12th after shooting a two-over 74. Meehan's round was more up and down than McCabe's but the Tufts senior was able to tally four birdies to overcome his six bogies on the day. Meehan was one under after a birdie on the par-4 15th hole, but three straight bogies put him two shots back of the five leaders tied at even-par 72.
Reed Bodley came in slotted as the No. 4 for the Jumbos but he had a great day, tying for 12th with a two-over 74. Bodley was plus-3 through eight holes, but rallied to register four birdies over the next seven holes to get to even par after the par-3 14th. Bodley would come in with an even-par 37 on the back nine to finish strong.
Sophomore
Holden Kittelberger was just off Meehan and Bodley, as his three-over 75 had him three shots off the lead while tying for 15th. Kittelberger was two-under through 11 holes, following a steady run of two birdies and nine pars. After going out in a one-under 34, he came home in a four-over 41 to still add a strong score to round out the team score of 296.
JP Noone finished the afternoon tied for 31st after shooting a seven-over 79. Bates is leading after the first day of action, shooting a six-over 294, while Hamilton College and Middlebury College are a stroke back in second after posting a 295.
The Jumbos will tee off in the final wave of teams on Sunday, as the first tee shot is schedule for 11:10 a.m. and will feature the top four teams of Bates, Hamilton, Middlebury and Tufts.
--JUMBOS--
