HAMDEN, Conn. – New England College made its mark in its first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Golf Championship, capturing the title with a 36-hole score of 646 (+86) at the New Haven Country Club. With the win, the Pilgrims earn the league's automatic qualifier into the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship in the spring.

Saint Joseph's College placed fourth with a 672 team card and was led by freshman Braden Camire (Saco, Maine), who tied for fifth with a 161 card and earned GNAC Co-Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference accolades.

Leading the way for the 2024 Champions was Timothy Carlson, who finished in second with a score of 156 (+5). Carlson was also named a member of the All-Conference First Team as one of the top-five scores in the event. Sophomore Graham Hassan was also an All-GNAC First Teamer, finishing tied for fifth at 161 (+21). Kam Hellman was the Pilgrims third scorer, tying for 12th with a two-day total of 164 (+24). Kaleb O'Connor was the team's fourth scorer with a 171 (+31) with Roman O'Brienhalla following right behind at 172 (+32). NEC's head coach Travis Banga was voted Coach of the Year by his peers.

Dean's Michael Keefe was the individual champion, earning medalist honors with a two-day total of 151 (+11). As the event's low score, Keefe also earned 2023 GNAC Golfer of the Year honors.

Norwich was the runner-up at this year's championship edging out host Albertus Magnus. The Cadets shot a 653 (+93) compared to the Falcons 654 (+94).

The Cadets were led by Cooper Bertrand who tied for fifth with a 161 (+21), earning him All-Conference First Team honors. He was also the Co-Rookie of the Year as the lowest first-year scorer. Harrison Giambattista also earned All-Conference honors as he was named to the Second Team after tying for 10th with a 163 (+23).

The 2023 hosts also had two All-Conference honorees with Charles Kristofak tying for third at 158 (+18) to earn First Team recognition, while Shamar Wilson's 162 (+22) tied him for eighth, placing him on the Second Team.

Saint Joseph's (Maine) rounded out the top half of the standings at 672 (+112) while Emmanuel placed fifth at this year's championship with a team score of 684 (+124). Leading the Saints was Ian Reynolds who tied for third place at the event and was the last member of the All-GNAC First Team with his 158 (+18).

In addition to Keefe's medalist performance for the Bulldogs, Dean also placed Matt Brangiforte in the top-10. He earned All-GNAC Second Team honors with a 163 (+23).

Elms and Mitchell completed this year's standings at 726 (+166) and 755 (+195), respectively. The Blazers were led by Liam Fitzgibbons who shot 167 (+27), while the Mariners top golfer was All-GNAC Second Teamer Shamus McLean who came in tied for eighth at 162 (+22).

FOR THE MONKS:

• Freshman Braden Camire (Saco, Maine) tied for fifth (161, 80-81)
• Junior Drew Mathieu (Windham, Maine) tied for 12th (164, 84-80)
• Sophomore Nick DeLeo (Saco, Maine) tied for 22nd (172, 85-87)
• Freshman Caleb Campos (Port Charlotte, Fla.) tied for 27th (175, 92-83)
• Junior Alex Beecher (South Portland, Maine) placed 33rd (195, 104-91)

ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (Top-5 including ties)

• Cooper Bertrand, Norwich
• Braden Camire, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
• Timothy Carlson, New England College
• Graham Hassan, New England College
• Michael Keefe, Dean
• Charles Kristofak, Albertus Magnus
• Ian Reynolds, Emmanuel

ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (Places 6-10 including ties)

• Matt Brangiforte, Dean
• Harrison Giambattista, Norwich
• Shamus McLean, Mitchell
• Shamar Wilson, Albertus Magnus

GOLFER OF THE YEAR - Michael Keefe, Dean
CO-ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Cooper Bertrand, Norwich
CO-ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Braden Camire, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
COACH OF THE YEAR - Travis Banga, New England College
INSTITUTIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP - Albertus Magnus

ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM

• Sam Witt, Albertus Magnus
• Michael Keefe, Dean
• Miguel Pearce, Elms
• Ian Reynolds, Emmanuel
• Shamus McLean, Mitchell
• Kam Hellman, New England College
• Tyler Orton, Norwich
• Nick DeLeo, Saint Joseph's (Maine)

ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.