Men’s Golf Takes First At Western Connecticut Invitational, Johnson Claims First Collegiate Win Overall

DANBURY, Conn. (April 10, 2025) – The Western New England men's golf team came away with a first-place finish at the Western Connecticut State University Invitational on Thursday afternoon from Ritcher Park Golf Course, defeating both Western Connecticut as well as Eastern Connecticut in the event. Derek Johnson came away with the lowest score of the day out of 12 total counting golfers, going +2, 73 overall.

Johnson recorded just an even par on the opening nine of the course, picking up a 36. Johnson would then record a 37 on the back nine of the course, just two strokes over par to come away with a 73 for the course overall. The 73 would be the lowest score of the day as the Mountain Top, Pennsylvania native came away with the tournament victory.

Alex Noti would shoot three strokes over par on the front nine of the course, scoring a 39 overall. Noti would bounce back on the back nine for the Golden Bears, shooting an even 35 for the Golden Bears, shooting a 74 overall, just one stroke behind Johnson for a second-place finish overall at the invitational.

Jeremy Burke also shot three strokes over par on the front nine of the course, coming away with a 39 for WNE. Burke would then finish the back nine with a 36, just one stroke over par, finishing the 18-hole course with a 75, finishing in third place for WNE.

Kyle DeGroff would shoot even par for Western New England on the front nine, a 36 overall. DeGroff would slip just behind for the Golden Bears after shooting ten strokes over par on the back nine to finish with a 45 and an 81 for the course, which would be tied for fifth overall.

The top four scores counted for each team with Western New England's top four scores coming in first, second, third, and fifth overall out of the 12 counting scores to come up with the win. Ryan Schlehuber shot a 46 on the front nine for WNE and 42 on the back, finishing with an 88 overall. Robert DeFeo golfed to a 95 overall for the Golden Bears, coming in as an individual.

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