STANDISH, ME – The 2012 Saint Joseph's College Golf team entered the 2012 season, under the supervision of ninth-year coach Jamie Smyth, with several key players poised to contribute. Led by captains Jake Brown (Lewiston, Maine) and Kevin Richardson (Coventry, Conn.), the team opened the new campaign in a head-to-head matchup against the USM Huskies at the Gorham Country Club.
Although the match would conclude with a 322-296 defeat at the hands of the Huskies, the Monks showed promise as both newcomers and projected team leaders handed in respectable cards. First-year team member Sean Drake (Lebanon, N.H.), a senior, paced the Monks with a 78 score, which was good for sixth overall. Richardson was close behind, handing in a 79 while freshman Ryan Berard (Millville, Mass) and junior Colin Finn (North Easton, Mass.) finished at 79 and 83, respectively.
The Monks would go on to place 10th, fifth, and fourth in their next three outings, including a solid 357 overall team score in the John Queenan Memorial Tournament at Point Sebago Golf Resort, where Richardson finished as the runner-up with a 74 card.
The team fared well in their appearance at the State of Maine Championship at Val Halla Country Club; finishing fourth on the first day with an overall score of 321. They would hold their ground through the completion of the tournament, recording a team score of 640, which was good for a fourth-place finish.
After repeating last year's spot by placing sixth at the GNAC Championship with a 680 team card, the Monks looked to conclude their season at the NEIGA Championship in Brewster, Massachusetts. With hurricane-related weather looming, the original 36-hole event at Captains' Golf Club was shortened to an 18-hole round, and the Monks seemed to struggle with the weather, finishing 34th in a competitive field. Richardson and Berard each posted an 86 card to lead the Monks in the season-ending tourney.
Richardson claimed All-GNAC honors for the second time in his career while he and Berard both claimed spots on the 2012 All-Academic team. Berard also snagged a GNAC Rookie of the Week honor early in the season.
Senior Nick Zwald (Campton, N.H.) ended his collegiate career with an average score of 103.4, including a pair of top-20 finishes. Sophomore David Kapelson (Litchfield, N.H.) looked sharp in his NCAA debut, shooting a 90 (45-45) and finishing 12th overall at the USM-SJC matchup in August.
WRITTEN BY JACK HOLLY '14
