Lions’ golf kicks off on the men’s side today in Boston. Columbia will be competing in the Hawk’s Invitational, hosted by the University of Hartford at the International Golf Club.
Joining the Lions will be fellow Ivy rival Brown. The 54-hole event will take place on the bent grass of the acclaimed Oaks Course with 36 holes on Friday and the final 18 holes on Saturday. The par-72 Thomas Fazio design plays 6.965 yards and was opened just six years ago.
The Lions have four other events scheduled for the fall season, which concludes at the Big Five Invitational in October, hosted by Penn.
After letting the Ivy title slip through their fingers last season, the Lions return to make another serious run. They’ll be doing it without their leader on the course, Chris Condello. The rising senior won the individual crown during last year’s championship and went on to qualify for the U.S. Open in June. He also competed in the U.S. Amateur Open and has decided to forgo his final season at Columbia in order to pursue a PGA Tour card.
Even with the loss of the most veteran member of their roster, the Lions enter 2007-08 season with no shortage of experience. Sophomore Sam Horowitz, junior Chris Arkin, and senior Gus Quartararo all competed in the Ivy championships in 2007. Arkin also has a win under his belt, one he shared with Condello at the Big Five Classic last fall.
The women’s team will begin play at the Ron Moore Women’s Intercollegiate in Denver on Monday. Expectations are understandably high for the defending Ivy champions. They will be once again led by individual Ivy champion Sara Ovadia. Much like her male counterpart, Condello, Ovaida had an eventful summer in international competition, which included a stop at the Old Course at St. Andrews for the St. Rule Trophy.
As they did last year, both teams will be testing their mettle against tough, nationally ranked opponents throughout the season in preparation for the Ivy championship in the spring.