Middlebury men’s golf began their trek towards the NESCAC championship this past weekend with a strong third place finish at the Duke Nelson Invitational, held at Middlebury’s very own Ralph Myhre Golf Course.
“The Ralph,” as locals call it, is a par-71 course layout, tucked into gentle hills near the college. Like many New England courses, its primary challenge is not length, measuring a mere 6,484 yards from the tips, but rather a number of lightning-quick greens that are often near-impossible to hit and hold. Some greens (the 8th, for example,) are small and elevated, with a false front that requires precise spin control to avoid shortsided chips.
The Ralph looks to be in pristine condition this fall after several upgrades. New tee boxes extend certain holes and prevent shortcuts. On hole six, the new back tee removes the option to cut the corner over trees, requiring players to aim left and face a longer approach. Unless they hit the ball like Bryson DeChambeau, everyone must take their line farther to the left and leave themselves a longer approach. The Panthers took advantage of this, shooting a collective three-over on hole six through two days.
Director of Golf Paul Politano spoke with me this past weekend about these changes. Politano said the main takeaway for golfers on Middlebury’s improved course was the addition of new drainage systems into the greens. When the Ralph gets wet, it can be almost unplayable. Improved drainage will keep the course drier, allowing both the team and recreational golfers to play the course earlier in the season and avoid excessively soggy conditions.
Speaking to their home course advantage, senior captain Brendan O’Holleran ’26 said, “Our biggest advantage is on the greens and with course management.” He added that while the Ralph’s open fairways lead to a mistaken presumption that you can crush a driver on every hole, well placed bunkers and water hazards make a “bomb and gouge strategy” impossible. With driving distance now a premium on both the PGA and LIV tours, courses like Ralph Myhre are finding ways to reward strategic precision instead.
Even with a home course advantage, graduating eight players can devastate a team. However, the incoming first years have brought an immediate spark to the Panthers.
“They have not only had impressive golf careers, but really with their attitude, have revolutionized our culture,” O’Holleran said.
Lincoln Mackay ’29 made the biggest impression at the Duke Nelson Invitational, firing a two-over 73 to finish day 1 at T5 and garnering a T20 finish in his debut outing. Mackay, along with Evan Fulgieri ’29, instilled a definite change in this club – kicking off an uncertain season with a promising finish. Though the three freshmen have been the focal point of discussion, the Panthers’ sole sophomore, Nate Keshen ’28 has continued to grow as a golfer, along with being the team’s “glue guy”, said O’Holleran, and we should look forward to Keshen’s emergence in tournaments throughout the year.
As for scoring, the upperclassmen Charlie Schulman ’26, and Logan Wang ’27 delivered the low rounds to seal the deal. Schulman shot a round of 70 (-1) and Logan Wang posted a 69 (-2) , leapfrogging five schools to finish in 3rd place. Wang and Schulman’s second rounds serve as an auspicious start, and should galvanize a team that is small (with only eight players this fall) and tight-knit.
Last week, while writing the sports previews, I doubted this team’s ability to perform under tournament pressure. The underclassmen-heavy group proved me wrong, climbing from a T7 start to a podium finish. Middlebury golf is not the same team as last year — keep an eye on them this weekend at the Williams Invitational and all the way through to the NESCAC championship.
Kanan Clifford '28.5 (he/him) is a Sports Editor.
Kanan is a probable Molecular Biology/Biochemistry major, with additional interests in history and politics. At Middlebury, he sails, is on the board of the South Asian Students Association, and is an avid baker!
