Knights gear up for D-III NJCAA Nationals

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 5/31/16

If one were to watch the CCRI golf team practice at Cranston Country Club last week, it would've been tough to tell that it had just done something special. Rather, it was like watching a group of friends play a care-free

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Knights gear up for D-III NJCAA Nationals

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If one were to watch the CCRI golf team practice at Cranston Country Club last week, it would’ve been tough to tell that it had just done something special.

Rather, it was like watching a group of friends play a care-free round on a weekend morning.

That atmosphere is why the program has been so successful.

“When we’re on the course, we have a lot of fun,” CCRI freshman Eric Carlos said. “We’re here to get better, but it’s definitely a family-like atmosphere – we just really gel together. We go out to win, but we really enjoy it.”

But, in reality, the tight-knit group had achieved quite the feat just a week prior.

The Knights earned a fourth consecutive Region XXI championship on May 20 and, in doing so, clinched a fourth straight trip back to the Division III NJCAA National Championship, which is set to take place from June 6 through June 10. The tournament will be played at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, New York – a course that a pair of Knights know well.

Josh Macera and Dan Hayes, the lone sophomores on the roster, played at Chautauqua last summer, and are hoping for triumphant returns.

“I’m excited to get back to nationals and play that course again,” Hayes said. “This is my second [Region XXI title] in a row, and I’m pretty happy about it.”

“It’s going to be tough,” Macera said. “There are the best teams from all over, so there will be some really good players there. But, I think that forces us to elevate our games too, so I like our chances. We’ll all have to play well and shoot in the 70s – the course plays pretty tough up there.”

If the Knights are going to be in contention, it’s safe to say that Macera will be a reason why.

The Cranston native outpaced the rest of the field at the Region XXI tournament, shooting a two-day total of 149 to earn medalist for the championship.

“He gives us a huge boost,” CCRI head coach Jim Stringfellow said of Macera. “I’ve had him for two years now – he had a great freshman year and an outstanding sophomore year. I made him a captain because of the leadership that he shows. He’s a very consistent golfer and he’s a great leader, always helping our guys with their course management, always talking to them.”

CCRI has some depth, as well. Both Hayes and freshman Matt O’Brien earned All-Region XXI honors for their efforts in the region tournament, with O’Brien placing third and Hayes taking fifth.

Carlos slotted in at seventh with a two-day score of 168, as the Knights posted an overall score of 644, besting rival Dean College by 97 strokes for the tournament.

Others who competed in the tournament, but didn’t place for CCRI, were: Sam Caron, Meg Rocheleau and Jackie French.

“If you don’t play well, the guy behind you has your back,” Carlos said. “We don’t have to worry about our score as much as just going out and playing our game. It definitely takes a lot of pressure off.”

Stringfellow noted that his program has been able to thrive thanks in large part to the support of the CCRI athletics program, in addition to Cranston Country Club, which allows the Knights to practice there daily.

“CCRI has been great, with Joe Pavone, who is a fantastic athletic director, we’ve had great support from the school,” Stringfellow said. “Myself, Assistant Coach Mike Higgins and the kids, we put in a lot of time, and we get tremendous backing from the school. We’re also very fortunate with the backing of Cranston Country Club, letting us come out every day. They’re great to the kids, and without Tommy Palmer, who runs the course, we wouldn’t be able to do all that we’ve accomplished.”

CCRI will be looking to add to its extensive list of accomplishments starting next Monday.

It certainly won’t be easy. The Knights will have to edge out some of the best teams and golfers from around the country, but they’re confident and ready for the challenge.

“With the team we have this year, our chances are pretty good,” Stringfellow said. “This group is out here, they’re very determined, they don’t get down on themselves and they’re picking each other up. There are going to be good teams up in Chautauqua, so they’re going to have to keep their composure. If they do that, they should be able to finish in the top 10.”

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