KEENE, N.H. – Freshman and Stoddard native
Taylor Miller shot a two-over 73 to become a collegiate medalist for the first time in his career as the Keene State College men's golf team hosted their own invitational on a rainy Thursday at the Keene Country Club.
The weather did not bother Miller, or really any of the Owls for that matter, as KSC's "A" group finished with a 308 and their second five a 319 – both scores bettering their previous best team score of 321 at the KCC done two other times including at least year's event. The Owls were just one stroke behind New England College, who took the team title with 307.
KSC had a number of strong individual performances, not the least of which was Miller, who was the reigning Little East Conference Rookie of the Week. He recorded a par or better on 13 of his final 15 holes including a birdie on No. 15. He had two birdies on the day, including on No. 1, and overall was even on the back nine.
The Owls' first group also had their three other counted scores in the 70s, with
Aidan Davis parring seven consecutive holes from No. 1 to No. 7 en route to a 77.
Sean McCaffrey birdied the first and fourth holes while posting a 79 while
Sean Bonneau matched a team-high with three birdies (No. 3, No. 5, No. 15) to record the same score. He would have challenged Miller if it weren't for a hiccup on the final three holes after he was three-over through 15.
Miller joins Bonneau as individual medalists from KSC in the short history of the tournament, which began with a match play event against Western Connecticut State University in 2022-2023 before the Owls won it as a team in 2023-2024 with a 328. Bonneau won it that year with a plus-four 76. Last year, KSC's two groups finished sixth and seventh respectively, posting a 321 and 333.
The second group of five Owls were also impressive, led by Matt Bryant's 76 which tied him for sixth individually. He matched Bonneau with three birdies and was two-over through 15 after a three on the par four No. 15. He also was under par on the seventh and 11 holes.
Sean McBride, also a member of the Keene State men's ice hockey team, finished with a 79 that included a birdie on No. 9.
Ben Fecteau added an 81 and
Justin Prim an 83 to the Owls' scoring contingent for their second team.
Thor Hansen shot an 84 in his first ever collegiate match, including a birdie on the final hole. The Owls finished with 14 birdies on the day collectively as a team in what was their third sub-320 event thus far in 2024-2025.
"I'm proud of the boys today playing through tough conditions," said Keene State head coach Jeff Timmer. "We got good contributions from all ten guys."
KSC will now prepare for the Little East Conference championship over the next two weeks before they head to the Redding Country Club in Connecticut October 8-10 for the league championship hosted by Western Connecticut State University. The University of Southern Maine is the defending team champion, dethroning Eastern Connecticut State University last year when the Owls hosted it, unexpectedly a year earlier than anticipated, at the Keene Country Club.
