Freshmen Take Early Lead in “Eagle Cup”

(MERIDIAN) - Overcast skies and humid temperatures greeted the players on opening day of “Eagle Cup IX” Monday at historic Northwood Country Club.

The “Sophomore” team, captained by Clemens Dvorak, faced off Monday afternoon against the “Freshman” team, captained by Easton Key, in a four ball match play format with each match being played for one point. A total of three points were up for grabs on Day One.

The first match of the day featured MCC golf team chaplain Tom Sikes and Brandt Garon of the sophomore team against two former MCC alumni golfers, Daniel Boles and Randy warden, who represented the freshmen team.

Thanks to three birdies by “Preacher Man” (Sikes), the sophomore team jumped out to an early 2 UP lead after eight holes, but Boles/Warden hung in to make the match close only to see Garon/Sikes close it out on the 16th hole earning the sophomore team the first point of the Eagle Cup with a 3&2 victory.

Match two featured sophomore Bo Reed and Adam Monsen versus freshmen Easton Key and Ruston Smith.

The Reed/Monsen v. Key/Smith match would be the only one during Four Ball play to reach the 18th hole. A close match all the way around, Key/Smith closed it our on the final hole to even up the match 1-1 with a 1 UP victory for the freshmen team.

The drama reached a crescendo in the final match of the day which featured an international flavor as Austrian Clemens Dvorak teamed up with Bolivian Oscar Mariscal on the sophomore team as they faced freshmen Jake Stirling from Australia and Alex Grannon somewhat from Denmark (and Mississippi).

A back and forth match the entire day, Stirling/Grannon put the match away with a birdie on the 17th hole to win 2 UP, and thus giving the Freshmen Team a 2-1 advantage after Day One.

Day Two of the three day event continues tomorrow with alternate shot match play being held at Briarwood CC. Play beings at 2 PM with the freshmen leading 2-1.
Results:
Day One
Four-Ball Match play
Match 1- Tom Sikes/Brandt Garon defeated Daniel Boles/Randy Warden 3&2
Match 2- Easton Key/Ruston Smith defeated Bo reed/Oscar Mariscal 1 UP
Match 3- Jake Sirling/Alex Grannon defeated Clemens Dvorak/Oscar Mariscal 2&1

Point Totals
(after Rd 1)
Freshmen 2
Sophomores 1
Day Two
Alternate shot match play
Match 1- Brandt Garon/Tom Sikes vs. Alex Grannon/Ruston
Match 2- Bo Reed/Adam Monsen vs. Daniel Boles/Clinton Hales
Match 3- Clemens Dvorak/Oscar Mariscal vs. Easton Key/Jake Striling


Format:
• Monday, August 30th- Four-Ball match-play Northwood CC
• Tuesday, August 31st- Alternate shot match-play Briarwood CC
• Wednesday, September 1st- Singles match-play Northwood CC


Captains:
• Sophomore Team- Clemens Dvorak
• Freshman Team- Easton Key

History:
Cup Date Winner
I Fall 2006: Sophomores
II Spring 2007: Sophomores
III Fall 2007: Sophomores
IV Spring 2008: Sophomores
V Fall 2008: Sophomores
VI Spring 2009: Sophomores
VII Fall 2009: Sophomores
VIII Spring 2010: Freshmen
IX Fall 2010: ?????