Two rounds, one season.
These elements lay in the balance for the men's golf team this weekend as it heads into the 24th Ivy League Championships in Bethpage, N.Y.
From 1992 to 1995, Princeton dominated the competition at Ivies. Yet at the past two tournaments, Yale has captured the team title. Last year, the Elis edged Penn by a stroke, 606-607, while the Tigers lagged nine strokes behind the champions.
In last year's individual competition, sophomore Judd Pritchard and junior Ben McConahey tied for the weekend's low score with 147 after 36 holes at Bethpage State Park's Black Course. Pritchard later grabbed the individual title from his teammate on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.
Princeton has filled some holes in its lineup this season with the addition of freshmen Max Gage and Peter McWhorter. Both players have consistently scored low thus far, and their efforts should boost the Tigers into contention at the event's new venue, the Red Course at Bethpage.
Taking aim
Princeton has its sights on its two major opponents: Penn and Yale. The remaining Ivy squads do not have the depth of talent to make a run at the title.
After a practice round today, the Tigers will return to familiar territory for the two rounds of competition. Princeton finished third at the McLaughlin Red Storm Invitational Oct. 4, 11 strokes behind St. John's and three strokes back of Penn. Gage paced Princeton with a two-over-par 74-70–144.
Situated in the middle of Long Island, the Red Course can become a wind-whipped track when breezes come off the surrounding water. With several sharp doglegs and bunkers that can be deceptive from the tee, the course does not play as hard as the Black Course, home of the 2002 U.S. Open, but it can present its challenges.
Hula hoop
The rather large greens have enough undulations to require some prudence. Players cannot fire at every pin; leaving the ball short and below the hole will prove the best strategy on several holes, especially the first, fifth and seventh.
"The course can certainly play difficult (for Ivies)," McConahey said, "not only due to conditions, but also due to pressure."
Coming off a tournament-low two-under 69 at H-Y-Ps last weekend, McConahey looks poised to once again contend for the individual title. Though he claims he would give up an individual win for a team championship, he may quietly earn both.
Dalyesque
Long off the tee, McConahey drives the ball an average of about 275 yards, but he also looks to place the ball in the fairway for the best approach to the green. Though he struggled with his driver in the fall, he worked hard on improving it over spring break. Looking at his combination of accuracy and distance, his work seems to have paid off.
Once on the fairways, McConahey has the tools to land the ball safely on the putting surface.
McConahey, who captains the Tigers, has had exposure to championship golf throughout his golfing life. With memberships at both Castle Pines – a Jack Nicklaus design and home of the PGA Tour's Sprint International – and Cherry Hills, site of Arnold Palmer's come-from-behind win in the 1960 U.S. Open, he is no stranger to demanding golf courses.
Self-control
He credits work with professional Kevin Walker, now at Nantucket (Mass.) Golf Club, for taming a set of emotions that sometimes developed into a temper in high school. Through that training, McConahey learned to use his emotions effectively.
"Sometimes, I have to kick myself in the butt to get things going," he said.
With confidence in his short game after some strong up-and-downs Saturday, McConahey looks to have all the ingredients needed to win Ivies. His hot putter just needs to sink enough putts to sink the rest of the field.
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