GCC's Mark DeCook tees off at hole 11 at the MCC Invitational
On Sunday May 8th, in the last scheduled tournament before Regionals, GCC’s second year golf team accomplished several firsts. They won their first golf tournament, they had their first medalist, and they were the first team to beat MCC this season in a big upset, snapping a long winning streak.
MCC went into their own tournament at their home course - the Webster GC in Webster NY - as the heavy favorite, as they usually are. They were on a season long win streak, and they had not lost a tournament since they lost at nationals three years ago.
GCC had late tee times in the 11 team event, and their players were paired against Monroe CC and Onondaga CC, both the teams that beat them for first and second place on Saturday at the GCC Invitational.
GCC’s realistic goal for the day was to beat Onondaga for second place and to get in a good mind set for Regionals. It turned out that their sites were set too low.
It was a beautify sunny day, and it looked promising early on as Mark DeCook and Matt Ferdinand each had good front nines to lead both of their groups handily. Kyle Harman and Corey Kocent were involved in closer matches in their respective groups. Corey and Kyle finished strong however, with Kocent making par at the last hole in semi darkness to shoot a 75 and was medalist for the event.
GCC shot 311 as a team, with Kocent’s 75, Harman’s 77, Ferdinand’s 78, and DeCook’s 81. Alex Muench and Adam Bishop also participated for GCC. MCC shot 316 to take second place, and Mohawk Valley CC shot 328 for third.
On Saturday, May 7th, GCC hosted their GCC Invitational at the Batavia Country Club on another great day for golf.
Even though it is GCC’s home course, the Batavia Country Clubs greens seemed to bewilder GCC’s players. Tee to green they played well, but their putting as a group just wasn't good enough.
GCC gave it a good shot but they finished 3rd behind Monroe CC (305) and Onondaga CC (315) with a score of 320. Mark DeCook finished tied for fourth individually with a 77, Matt Ferdinand shot a 79, Kyle Harman carded an 81, and Corey Kocent shot an 83. Adam Bishop and Alex Muench also participated.
MCC’s Tim McCall was Men’s medalist with a score of 72.
The Hudson Valley CC Women’s Golf team won the Women’s division, and Stephanie Rahn from Mohawk Valley CC was the Women’s medalist with a score of 101
GCC’s golf team qualified for Regionals for the second straight year, which will be held Monday May 16th and Tuesday May 17th at the Cortland Country Club in Cortland, NY. They depart next Sunday for a practice round, with hopes of finishing first or second in the tournament which would qualify them for Nationals in June.
