Johnson Secures Second Invitational Spring Victory, Golden Bears Takes First At Eastern Connecticut Invitational

BALTIC, Conn. (April 21, 2025) – The Western New England men's golf team, led by first-year Derek Johnson, has secured their second invitational win of the spring season on Monday afternoon at the Mohegan Sun Golf Club. Johnson shot just one stroke over par on the 18-hole course while his teammates followed that up with outstanding performances to defeat Eastern Connecticut, Roger Williams University, and Elms College.

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears were once again led by the Conference of New England Rookie of the Year Derek Johnson on Monday. Johnson would again finish with the lowest score of the event overall on the 18-hole course, coming up with a 73, just two strokes over par on the day. Johnson's score was the lowest among the 22 golfers overall. He takes home his second victory of the spring after coming in first place at the Western Connecticut Invitational last week.

Alex Noti dealt a great score for the Golden Bears, finishing just one stroke behind Johnson for the team lead, coming in with a 74 overall, a +3 on the course. Noti would finish second in the tournament, which helped WNE pick up a first-place finish.

Kyle Kilmas had one of the best outings of his young career in blue and gold on Monday. The Newington, Connecticut native racked up a score of 75 for the afternoon, two strokes shy of the team and tournament lead and just a stroke behind his teammate, Noti, for the second spot in the tournament. Kilmas's 75 (+4) was the third-best among the 22 golfers.

Dylan Fortunato showed out in one of his final tournaments in blue and gold for Western New England, coming in with a 79 overall for the afternoon. Fortunato score matches a season best from the fall's Bowdoin Invitational.

Jeremy Burke finished ten strokes over par for Western New England on the afternoon, shooting an 82 overall. Kyle DeGroff also shot for Western New England on Monday, coming in with an 84 overall, 12 strokes over.

The Golden Bears finished with a 304 overall, using Johnson's, Noti's, Kilmas's, and Burke's scores on the afternoon. The Golden Bears defeated Eastern Connecticut State University by 12 strokes, Roger Williams University by 15 strokes, and Elms College by 62 strokes.

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