The men’s golf team traveled to Delaware, OH this Sunday to compete in the North Coast Athletic Conference Invitational. Two members of the squad were able to travel and compete, but both fell short of winning the title.

The two members of the team that traveled to compete were first-year Justin Ruiz and sophomore Michael Jacobs. Both young men are rookies on the team, and will be returning next season. Ruiz tied for 15th after the first day had ended, posting at 78 on a par-71 course. He ran into some trouble on day two, scoring an 88 on the same par-71 course, which ultimately dropped him into 32nd place.

Sophomore Michael Jacobs also contributed to the effort. He struggled early during the first day of the tournament and finished the day with a score of 112. Bouncing back from the first rough day, Jacobs posted a nine-stroke reduction from day one on day two. He finished the second day with a score of 103.

Wittenberg University wound up winning the NCAC Invitational with a score of 616. Allegheny College finished in a close second, losing by one point with an overall score of 617. Since the Yeomen was missing four golfers and only played two, they were not shown with a team score.

After being named head golf coach in February, Coach Joe Miller has begun reconstruction of his golf team. “The season ended on a much better note than it started,” he said. With only four competing golfers, Miller had to work extremely hard to prepare his smaller team for the competitive program.

“I went from assisting on the range and in practice to taking the full reins of organizing players, equipment, schedule, budget and recruiting, all while trying to get a team ready to compete in the upcoming tournaments,” he said.

Along with Jacobs and Ruiz, other returning players to look for next year include first-year John Ingham and senior Zachary Mathes. With tremendous support from the Oberlin Athletics Department, Miller explained some major changes within the program: “We have all the equipment needed to practice and play in tournaments, and thanks to the Oberlin Golf Club, one of the best golf courses in the county to call home.” Miller is positive about next season in his belief that “with the arrival of some new golfers into the program next year and a strong 2014 freshmen recruiting class, we can be well on our way to returning with a team to compete in the NCAC.”