Golf Wraps Up Play at NECC Championship

STOW, Mass. - The Mitchell College men's golf team finished seventh at the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference Championship on Sunday afternoon at Stow Acres Country Club.

Freshman Riley Whitham shot a 144 over the course of two days to lead Babson College to the team title. Babson compiled a team score of 617 and claimed a bid to the NCAA Division III Championship. 

Whitham took home both Player and Rookie of the Year honors and was named first team all-conference. Babson also placed two more golfers among the top five as Ben Crawford (155) finished second and Ian Notkin (158) tied for fourth. The final two spots on the all-conference first team went to Newbury golfer A. J. Skinner (155) and Becker golfer Mac Howey (158).

The all-conference second team included Daniel Webster's Clint Goodwin (159), Elms' Brian Benson (159), Babson's Kyle Alexander (161), Springfield's Travis Price (165), Elms' Brian Cowles (168) and Newbury's Colin Davis (168).

Babson College coach Jeff Page was named the Conference Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

Elms took home second place as a team with a score of 669, while Becker came in third with a total of 699. Rounding of the scoring was Daniel Webster (709), Springfield (709), Newbury (715), and Mitchell (774).

Mitchell freshman Matt Shea posted a round of 90 on Sunday to finish 18th overall with a two-day total of 178. Senior Matt Grudgen shot 196 to finish 27th and was named to the all-conference sportsmanship squad. Ryan Swarts (197), Andres Sprick (203) and Eric Davey rounded out the scoring for the Mariners.

Mitchell will next compete at Emmanuel College on Wednesday, October 7 at noon.