Towson concludes season at CAA Tournament
By: Kati Day, Staff Writer
Towson concluded their spring season at the CAA Conference Championships in Southport, NC. The Tigers fired a final-round score of 294 (+47) to finish 8th for the tournament. College of Charleston finished first with a 20-stroke lead over William and Mary and James Madison who tied for second.
“At the end of the first round we counted some big numbers to shoot 311,” Head Coach Brian Yaniger said. “When you count big numbers against teams like Charleston and William and Mary, you just have no chance.”
Sophomore Jimmy Grem led the Tigers this weekend with a three-round total of 224 (+8). Grem opened with a 75 on Friday but fell two strokes back on Saturday to shoot 77. The sophomore closed with an even-par round of 72 on Sunday for a top 15 finish.
“The second round we didn’t count quite as many big numbers,” Yaniger said. “One swing in golf can be four shots, whether it be out-of-bounds or in a hazard, and we didn’t have that today. One or two swings can make an enormous difference.”
Senior Sam Stewart wrapped up his final season with a top 20 finish at +9 for the 54-hole tournament. Stewart shot two consistent four-over-par rounds of 76 on Friday and Saturday, but finished strong on Sunday with a one-over-par 73.
“Our strength this week was our tenacity,” Stewart said. “We struggled a lot and our rounds could have really gotten away from us. We were able to salvage a little bit each day.”
Sophomore Juan Veloza finished solid at +13 to tie for 25th. Veloza improved each round to shoot 78-76-75=229 for the three-day tournament.
Juniors Ryan Siegler and Alex Church struggled in the opening round to shoot matching scores of 82. Siegler continued to improve in the final rounds with 77 and 74 to finish with 233 (+17). Church dropped two strokes on Saturday with an 80 but ended his final round with a solid three-over-par 75.
“While the scores were not terribly good,” Yaniger said. “Hopefully the underclassman gained enough experience that will carry us forward in the fall.”
The Tigers fall schedule is TBA.