Quinnipiac’s golf team just keeps swinging away at their competition.
Although they finished in 14th place at the McDonald Cup earlier this month, the Bobcats came back strong in their next two outings. Their performance as of late has come from the team’s goal of striving for victory.
“Our biggest strength going into the season is our unity and devotion,” Craig Cyr said.
The bobcats showed their true colors by placing in the top five at both events. Back on Oct. 16th they placed an impressive 5th at the Hofstra Fall Invitational. But, they were not satisfied with the top five finish.
“It’s not bad,”
Coach Todd Howes said. “They want to elevate this program as much as I do, and they played their butts off.”
So, only three days later QU rapidly improved at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship as they jumped one spot into fourth place out of 46 teams.
“Everyone on the team this year wants to play well and puts in the time on their own to practice rather than just showing up for the tournaments and expecting to perform,” Cyr said.
And Cyr out performed all the competition, including his own teammates at the Hofstra Invitational. He was the day’s story as he finished in 1st place in the two-day tourney. Cyr’s individual win was the first by a bobcat golfer since QU became a member of Division 1 athletics. He finished the day with a total score of 142 (71,71).
“It was amazing,” Cyr said. “It’s what I dreamt about for two and a half years.”
With his performance, Cyr earned his first Northeast Conference Player of the Week award.
The supporting cast did their part also.
Sophomore Steve Velardi shot a 153 (77,76), while Jay Cardish finished his two rounds with a score of 154 (74,80).
In fact, Cardish was on top of his game at the very next tournament. Despite inclement weather, he led all QU golfers at the two-day NEIGA shooting a final score of 150 (74, 76), good for 6th place overall.
“He had a real solid performance,” Howes said. “He showed me a lot for a freshmen.”
Cyr continued his stellar play by finishing second among the QU squad, shooting a 151 on the day (76,75).
Coach Howes is proud of his players’ performances and knows what they have to do to remain successful.
“Just putting good scores back to back,” Howes said. “I just want them to put two together.”
The bobcats have already put two great outings together. Maybe they can piece a few more together and reach their goals of elevating Quinnipiac’s golf program.
