The Elizabethtown College Blue Jays golf teams took part in a dual meet against the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen over the past week. Etown headed out to Grantville, Pennsylvania on the Manada Golf Club to square off in the last regular season matchup before the Landmark Conference Championship Preview begins in a couple of weeks.
Starting with the men’s team, they were able to edge out the Dutchmen, defeating them 6-5 through 18 holes. Junior Jeremy Otto was first on the card for the Blue Jays, taking a four stroke lead through the first six holes.
After the initial lead, the Lebanon Valley opponent began creeping up to his score, narrowing the stroke lead to just two through nine. Otto was better through the back half of the course, regaining the four stroke lead to take the win.
Senior Dylan Poalucci initially started the first nine with a two stroke lead that was built after the eighth and ninth holes; however, a solid back nine gave him all he needed to take a comfortable four stroke lead and take the matchup win.
Sophomore Talan Spittler started the second hole down one stroke to his opponent. Spittler settled into the course and was able to make up a four stroke difference through the next 17 holes, winning by three strokes.
Sophomore Paul Fulfer experienced similar situations to Spittler, falling behind by one stroke through six holes. After a great seventh hole, Fulfer was even with his opponent into the back nine holes. His opponent couldn’t seem to hit his marks from hole 12 onward, with Fulfer picking up a four stroke lead after the 16th hole, giving Etown another matchup win.
First-year Landon Blocher suffered an initial deficit through the first few holes; however, he displayed domination through the back half of the course, taking a five stroke victory. Sophomore Wyatt Weges showed similar excellence, taking a six stroke victory against his opponent, helping Etown edge out Lebanon Valley.
For the women’s team, Etown was narrowly able to beat the Dutchman by a difference of only five strokes by team scores. Lebanon Valley held the top golfer of the dual with a score of +9; however, Etown’s sophomore Emma Leo led the way for the Blue Jays, only one stroke behind the overall lead with +10. Graduate Alayna Kichman was right behind Leo, picking up a score of +20 to take the sole third place spot.
Sophomore Karsyn Peifer was next for the Blue Jays, finishing the afternoon with a score of +44. First-year Zoe Gerry rounded out the group of Blue Jays with a score of +55, proving to be just enough as Etown defeated Lebanon Valley +129 to +134.
The Blue Jays will prepare for the Landmark Conference Championship Preview held in Delaware, Pennsylvania at the Shawnee-On-The-Delaware Golf Club on Oct. 24 and 25.
