Bradley’s men’s golf team is on pace for a historic season.
The Braves traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Zach Johnson Invitational at Glen Oaks Country Club. Bradley tied for second place, surpassing their best finish as a team this year after placing third in the two weeks ago.
“I was very pleased with how we were playing,” head coach Jeff Roche said. “Connor Hamm’s play has given us the opportunity for some strong finishes. We still need to clean up a few things and then do that, [but] we can keep moving forward.”
Hamm continued his stellar fall this week as he took home his second victory of the season. He tied his program records at the Dolenc Invitational in single-round and full-round scores, shooting 64 and 200, respectively. He won Missouri Valley Conference golfer of the week for his efforts, his second time winning the award this season.
“Connor has done a really nice job in adjusting to the different style courses that we have played over the last three weeks,” Roche said. “His growth in how he has managed his game and playing to his strengths has been exciting to watch.”
Hamm has been the top performer on the team to this point, but other players are not that far behind. Sophomore Carter Stevenson finished tied for 23rd place, shooting 5-over-par. Sophomore Brody McCarthy and junior Max Adams tied for 45th, shooting 10-over-par.
“The rest of the team wants a taste of that success,” Roche said. “Not only on an individual basis but as a team. Understand the amount of work that it takes to be successful and then be patient to allow that success to happen.”
Bradley will head back to the capital of Iowa in April for the Missouri Valley conference championships.
“It was definitely nice playing a course in Des Moines because it gives you a taste of the travel and the area so that you feel a little more acclimated when it comes time to play the conference tournament,” Roche said.
The Braves return to action on Oct. 14-15 in Kennesaw, Georgia, to compete in the Pinetree Intercollegiate, which will conclude their fall season.
