Spring Break
GOLF: Judges struggle with their short game at Duke Nelson Invitational
by Mike Prada
Editor in Chief
Sports | 9/18/07
Posted online at 1:53 AM EST on 9/18/07
/ Last updated at 12:31 PM EST on 9/18/07
Alex Podell '09 had no problem reaching the green during the Duke Nelson Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
Once he got there, however, it was a different story.
Podell's short game struggles, which included five three-putts in his Sunday round, was indicative of the golf team's trouble, as the Judges finished in 18th place out of 25 teams with an aggregate score of 652.
"I had five three-putts, and that's horrendous," Podell said.
"I know Tiger [Woods] would have killed himself if that happened to him, but I'm just going to be upset with myself."
Only captain Alex Botwick '08, whose two-day total of 156 led the team, was immune from the putting disease.
Podell, who finished with a two-day total of 164, hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation during his Sunday round but still only shot a 79 due to his three-putts on the sixth, seventh, ninth, 13th and 16th holes.
Charles Sacks '11, Aaron Hattenbach '09 and Lee Bloom '08 also struggled, each failing to shoot below 80 in their rounds.
"We were very consistent throughout the lineup," coach Bill Shipman said.
"Nobody had a terrible score, but nobody shot a really low score. We need better play from everybody."
The first day of the tournament was a struggle for the Judges.
Botwick shot a team-best 79 to finish eight strokes over par, but Podell and Sacks each shot an 84 to finish 13 strokes over par, while Hattenbach and Bloom shot 86 and 88, respectively.
Podell attributed the team's poor performance Saturday to cold weather.
He said the wind was blowing hard all day, which in turn affected the speed of the greens.
This was evident when Podell reached the par-three 14th hole Saturday.
Podell was sure he had hit a good tee shot, but the ball sailed into the bushes well beyond the hole.
"All that adds to your aggravation," he said.
"You can't trust yourself with your clubs, and if you screw up once, you screw up twice."
Once he got there, however, it was a different story.
Podell's short game struggles, which included five three-putts in his Sunday round, was indicative of the golf team's trouble, as the Judges finished in 18th place out of 25 teams with an aggregate score of 652.
"I had five three-putts, and that's horrendous," Podell said.
"I know Tiger [Woods] would have killed himself if that happened to him, but I'm just going to be upset with myself."
Only captain Alex Botwick '08, whose two-day total of 156 led the team, was immune from the putting disease.
Podell, who finished with a two-day total of 164, hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation during his Sunday round but still only shot a 79 due to his three-putts on the sixth, seventh, ninth, 13th and 16th holes.
Charles Sacks '11, Aaron Hattenbach '09 and Lee Bloom '08 also struggled, each failing to shoot below 80 in their rounds.
"We were very consistent throughout the lineup," coach Bill Shipman said.
"Nobody had a terrible score, but nobody shot a really low score. We need better play from everybody."
The first day of the tournament was a struggle for the Judges.
Botwick shot a team-best 79 to finish eight strokes over par, but Podell and Sacks each shot an 84 to finish 13 strokes over par, while Hattenbach and Bloom shot 86 and 88, respectively.
Podell attributed the team's poor performance Saturday to cold weather.
He said the wind was blowing hard all day, which in turn affected the speed of the greens.
This was evident when Podell reached the par-three 14th hole Saturday.
Podell was sure he had hit a good tee shot, but the ball sailed into the bushes well beyond the hole.
"All that adds to your aggravation," he said.
"You can't trust yourself with your clubs, and if you screw up once, you screw up twice."
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