Howell, MI – It was a great start to homecoming weekend for the Aquinas golf programs, even if the Saints were on the road. The women's team captured their first win of the season with a gritty performance at the Cleary Invitational, while the men's squad turned in a solid effort to finish tied for fifth in a competitive field.
Women's Recap
The Saints' women delivered their first victory of the year, carding a team total of 361 to edge Cleary by three shots. Though the team admitted they weren't entirely satisfied with their numbers, their resilience and consistency made the difference on a demanding Chemung Hills course.
Junior Maddie Schense led Aquinas with a round of 86, good for a tie for fifth overall. Just behind her was Jayda Kerns, who posted a 90 to place in the top 15. Freshman Quinn Clement shot a 92 in her first collegiate tournament, while sophomore Ava Clark contributed a steady 93 to help the Saints stay in front.
Rounding out the lineup was freshman Zoey Quinn, whose 95 sealed the team scoring and added valuable depth to the winning effort. Collectively, the Saints' depth across all five golfers proved the key to securing the narrow victory.
Coach Matt Denhartigh praised his team afterward, saying: "I could not be prouder of this group. They've been grinding day in and day out, and today was a great reward for all that hard work and preparation. Winning is always special, but doing it in these tough conditions shows just how strong and focused our women are becoming."
The win marked not only the first of the season but also an important momentum-builder as the Saints head into the WHAC preview later this month.
Men's Recap
The men also faced the challenging Chemung Hills track and battled their way to a tie for fifth out of ten teams with a score of 317. Senior Anthony Lalomia led the way, firing a strong round of 76 to place in a tie for fifth overall.
Behind him, junior Austin Pitsch and freshman Benjamin Holloway each turned in 78s, showing steady play under pressure. Rounding out the scoring for Aquinas were sophomore Andrew Kurowski and freshman McCoy Denhartigh, both carding rounds of 85. Their efforts helped the Saints maintain position in the middle of the pack.
Coach Matt Denhartigh reflected positively on the men's showing: "While the scoreboard may not have reflected a win, I was very proud of how our guys battled. They went up against a tough course and a strong field, and their composure really stood out. This performance gives us a solid foundation as we continue into a busy stretch."
Up Next
The men's golf team will be back in action on Monday and Tuesday, September 22–23, at Stoatin Brae in Augusta, Michigan. The women's team will compete in the WHAC Preview at Stonehenge on September 29–30. For full results, stats, and recaps, visit aqsaints.com
