The Binghamton University golf team continued its strong play in New Haven, Conn. this past weekend at Yale University’s MacDonald Cup. Binghamton was third out of 14 teams, finishing only behind St. John’s (+5) and Yale (+20), the host team, respectively. BU shot a 582 (290-292), 22-over-par, throughout the 36-hole event, which was reduced from 54 holes due to inclement weather.
The team was once again boosted by senior co-captain Jake Katz, who finished runner-up on the individual leaderboards, scoring a cumulative 138, the eighth time he has placed second in his impressive career.
‘Jake has improved his game dramatically over the summer from last year,’ Binghamton head coach Bernie Herceg said of the team’s ace. ‘He’s very, very consistent, finishing either even or under par, and his play of late shows that he can even go deeper than what he’s already done.’
And that’s exactly what Katz did this weekend, shooting a 70, even-par, in Saturday’s opening round; he improved his tally in the second, and final, round Sunday by two strokes, firing a 68, 2-under par. This weekend gave Katz a personal best 2-under-par over 36 holes, coming only a week after he accomplished a personal record of 5-under-par over 54 holes at Cornell’s Invitational, for which he earned America Sky Men’s Golf Conference Golfer of the Week honors. Katz was also recently ranked No. 126 in the nation in the Golfweek/Sagarin individual rankings, and he should be ranked even higher in the next poll after his win at Cornell.
Katz’s leadership has had a noticeable effect on his fellow Bearcats.
‘The rest of the team has so much respect for Jake’s game and his ability,’ Herceg said. ‘They want to be as good as he is [and has been], which has helped their work ethic and their mental, positive attitude.’
Katz’s strong play has set the bar high for his teammates, especially among the younger players. Sophomore David Cellura shot a 149 (74-75) for 9-over-par this weekend, good for a tie for 27th place.
‘David is very consistent,’ his coach said. ‘But he’s still looking for that breakout tournament where he finishes under par.’
Cellura and other, newer underclassmen have given the team further depth and, according to Herceg, ‘helped the team strive to improve as a whole.’ Binghamton’s success this season has been especially impressive because of the team’s youth and the array of new courses they have faced. The next tournament, to be held at the Plymouth Country Club in Philadelphia, is another unfamiliar course for the Bearcats.
The team was ranked No. 106 in the most recent Golfweek/Sagarin team rankings. They, too, are expected to rise after the Cornell tournament is taken into account.
BU’s golfers will have another crack at shooting under par this weekend, Oct. 9-10, when the Bearcats are set to travel to Philadelphia to a new venue for the Big 5 Invitational hosted by Temple University.