W. Golf has best outing of spring

The Boston University women's golf team, playing two tournaments in a demanding three-day stretch, finished second in the Massachusetts State Invitational at the Orchards golf course Friday and finished sixth at the Jack Leaman Invitational at Hickory Ridge on Sunday.

Friday's second-place finish was one of BU's best in recent memory, as every golfer exceeded expectations -- and then some. Standing out for the Terriers were freshman Kaitlyn Mardeusz, Deirdre Hatfield (who finished sixth at the Mass. Invitational) and sophomore Allison Hamilton.

"Kaitlyn and Allison deserve a lot of credit for their performance this weekend," said BU coach Cammy Landry. "With the conditions of the course and the difficulty of the courses, it was a demanding experience."

Mardeusz, who finished ninth at the Mass. Invitational and 12th at the Leaman Invitational, stroked an 87 on Friday and tallied a 166 at the Leaman.

"I was really happy with the way I played," Mardeusz said. "My short game was really what made me shoot so well. I was putting well and chipping well."

In addition to her strong performance, Hamilton finished 17th in the Mass. Invitational with a stroke count of 92 and managed a 168 to round out the weekend.

Two Terriers without a lot of tournament experience, Carly Sherwood and Onike Williams, made their tournament debuts for BU in the Leaman.

"It was good to get them in a tournament. Both their scores counted both days," Landry said. "It was a good first experience."

But for the busy Terriers, this weekend was also a trying experience.

"Most of the other teams only played two rounds this weekend," said Mardeusz, noting that most of the other teams at the Leaman Invitational did not compete Friday. "We were all mentally exhausted by the third round. The other teams had an advantage, but we played so well as a team."

Landry echoed Mardeusz's sentiments, saying, "most teams got to rest on Friday, and we had to play on a grueling course. I give these kids credit, they held up just fine."

The men's golf team did not fare as well after the first round of the River Hawks Invitational in Andover. The team had a strange round, filled with struggles, and was capped off by an unusual ending.

"We finished the first round Monday morning instead of Sunday because it was too dark to continue to play Sunday," said BU coach Gary Skrinar. "Fortunately the second round was very good."

For some, the first round went fine, as Akhilesh Chitlangia shot an 82 and added an 83 in the second round. Freshman Jack Chaney also had a steady weekend, shooting an 86 and 83, respectively.

After a tough start, seniors Steven Smith and Wayne Hopkins chipped a combined 31 strokes off their first round totals, each ending the second round with 78 strokes.

"The weather was great both days, so I can't blame anything on the weather," Skrinar said. "Everyone had dramatic improvements, and I don't know why."