Despite steady play at the number one position by Nicholas Koh ’08, the Andover Golf Team fell in heartbreaking fashion to consistent opponents Tabor and Exeter. Coach Chris Odden took eight golfers to Tabor last Saturday with hopes of a quick start to the season. Although the top end of the ladder was swinging well, the lower end failed to get into a good rhythm and could not gain momentum against the better-prepared Tabor team. What followed was an extremely tight loss to Tabor in a 5.5 to 6.5 defeat. Nicholas Koh ’08 and Ben Ho ’11 at the number one and three spots were able to win their matches. Both Andover players dominated their opponents with skillful shot-making and clutch putting. However, the lower end of the ladder failed to score against a resilient Tabor team. Although Andover got off to a tough start, Koh still has high hopes for the team. Koh said, “The first match of the season is always the most nerve-racking of all the matches. If the lower end of the ladder can step up, I believe that we could still have a successful season” Andover had the chance to jump out to an early lead in the first leg of the Lovell Cup against Exeter and GDA later that week. Despite ideal conditions at Stow Acres Country Club, the team failed to earn a win against either Exeter and GDA. Coach Odden sent out Koh and Ho, hoping to clench an early victory for the team. Ho came up just short on the last hole and lost his match. Although Koh shot a stellar round of 77, Exeter’s number one was just too good as he shot a phenomenal two-under 70 that closed out the match early. Although the top two players struggled to get into a good rhythm, other players like Wutae Lee ’10 and Will Lindsey ’10 were able to win their matches with some clutch shots. Lee had the low score of the day for Andover as he crushed his Exeter opponent with a score of 73. Lee commented, “If we can rebound from this rough start in the coming week I think that we will still have an excellent chance at retaining the Lovell Cup.” Andover hopes to start gaining momentum next week as it faces off against opponent Holderness at Indian Ridge Country Club.
