Men's College Golf
Rider 7th of 12 at Blue Devil Fall Invitational-Day One
WETHERSFIELD, CT-The Rider golf team began the 2011 season at the Blue Devil Fall Invitational, hosted by Central Connecticut State University Saturday and Sunday.
After 18 holes the Broncs are in seventh place in the 12-team field. "I'm happy," said head coach Bob Whartenby. "With a really young team we shot our best round in two years. I don't think we shot this low at all last year."
Sophomore James Buttermark (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) had the second best round of the day Saturday with a 69 on the par 71 Wethersfield Country Club course, leading Rider to a first round score of 306.
"James played good, and I was expecting him to do that," Whartenby said of his ace. "He came out firing. He shot three under on the front nine."
Buttermark was an All-MAAC golfer as a freshman, finishing seventh at the 2011 MAAC Championships last spring.
Freshman Luke Liddell (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) made his college debut with a 77, good for 29th among the 60 golfers.
"Luke had a very good round," Whartenby said. "He actually had a triple bogey so to do that and still have a 77 is quite a round. He looks to be pretty solid. Hopefully he can keep that going."
Rider junior Chris Foster (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) shot a 79 and is 40th overall.
Senior Chris Wolak (Issaquah, Wash./Hopkinton) had an 81 and is 49th.
Freshman Jared Ash (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) shot a 90
Play continues Sunday.
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