The Iona College men’s golf team finished the fall season with two top-ten finishes. The Gaels claimed eighth place in the Connecticut Cup and ninth place in the St. Barnabas Intercollegiate.

On Oct.15 the Gaels entered day two (round 3) of the Connecticut Cup in 10th place with an overall score of 617 (+41). They posted the fourth best score of the final round and finished the Connecticut Cup with a 914 overall score.

One week later, the Gaels entered day two (round 2) of the St. Barnabas Intercollegiate tied for sixth with an overall score of 308. An injury to freshman Stefan Cygan hurt the Gaels’ bid for a top five finish. They fell to ninth place.

“Overall, the two tournaments had pretty good fields,” head coach Chris Merce said. “In the Connecticut Cup, it showed we can go from a 315 team to a 290 team anytime. We played really well as a team.”

Junior Evan DeLuca was a key contributor. He scored a 71 (-1) in round one and an 80 (+8) in round two of the Connecticut Cup. He finished the tournament tied for 30th with a third round score of 79 (+7). In the St. Barnabas Intercollegiate, DeLuca entered day two tied for seventh at even par. He finished tied for 17th at six-over par.

“In my mind I was just trying to stay focused on what I was doing and continuing to play at the high level I was playing at,” DeLuca said. “In the last round I was playing quite well, before two stupid mistakes I made that made my score balloon into the upper 70s. My motivation was trying to get a top 10 or better in the tournament. I knew that if I was in the top 10, that it would help my team out immensely and you want to do anything that will help your team in a positive way.”

“It was huge for us because it is a third guy that is really capable of going out and shooting par or better,” Merce said. “Evan really stepped up. Overall, he is going to be a key factor for us heading into the spring. He has a chance of being one of the better players in the MAAC.”

Junior Tom McHugh played his best collegiate round in the third round of the Connecticut Cup, carding 70 (-2). This score was a major reason for the Gaels’ rise in the final round of the tournament.

Prior to his 70, McHugh posted back-to-back 81s. He finished the tournament in 42nd with a 232 (+16). In Barnabas, he posted scores of 78 (+6) and 79 (+7) as he finished the tournament tied for 41st with an overall score of 154 (+13).

“Things haven’t been going my way in college golf,” McHugh said. “I get all the bad breaks one day and a good one the next. The 70s is where I should be. It is where my potential is.”

Junior Taylor Bellemare has been the most consistent golfer for the Gaels this season. In the first day of Connecticut Cup, he posted a 78 (+6) and a 77 (+5). In the final round, he posted a 73 (+1) and finished the tournament with an overall score of 228 (+12). In Barnabas, he posted a 78 (+6) and a 76 (+4), finishing tied for 28th.

Freshman Brian Fitzpatrick was the Gaels’ top scorer in the second round of the Connecticut Cup, 75 (+3). He scored an 84 (+12) in the final round and finished tied for 72nd with an overall score of 239 (+23). In Barnabas, he posted two 79s (+7) and finished tied for 45th.

“I know I can play better,” Fitzpatrick said. “The transition from high school to college is tough.”

Cygan improved his score by two in each of the rounds of the Connecticut Cup. He finished the tournament tied for 36th with an overall score of 231 (+15).

“I was pleased with my finish at the Connecticut Cup after a slow start,” Cygan said. “I was able to build some momentum in the final round and finish strongly. The final round of the Connecticut Cup was a high point for the team posting our low 18 hole team score and it was really nice to be a part of that.”

Cygan was only able to participate in the first round of Barnabas due to a leg injury. He scored a 78 (+6) and was tied for 37th.

“The fall season was more of a learning experience as we head into the spring,” Bellemare said. “We are all young. We each had separate goals for each tournament. In the Connecticut Cup we reached those goals. It was great progress for us.”

The Gaels are looking forward to competing for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title this spring.

“In the spring, the best five guys are going to play,” Merce said. “Ultimately, throughout the fall, Fitzpatrick and Cygan are our two of our five best golfers.”