While high-velocity winds swept across the course, and blew balls left and right, the Brandeis golf team, though hurt on the greens, survived two tournaments last weekend. At the Nichols Invitational in Worcester, Mass. last Sunday, the Judges finished fifth out of 12 teams with a combined score of 327 strokes, only eight strokes behind the winning team, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. The Judges also posted a total of 327 strokes, 19 strokes behind the winning team and host school Rhode Island College, last Friday at the RIC Invitational, finishing in eighth place out of 12 teams.

At the Nichols Invitational, the Judges were led by players unfamiliar to the leaderboard. Daniel Goldsmith '11, who recorded a 10-over-par 82, and Aaron Cusato '12, who finished the round with an 11-over-par 83, both played solid golf, keeping the balls on the fairway.

It was Scott Beaulac '12, however, who led the team. Beaulac finished the invitational with a score of five-over-par 77 and was the only player on the Brandeis squad to record a score in the 70s.

Coach Bill Shipman recognized Beaulac for his strong performance.

"He hit the ball very solidly, especially off the tee," Shipman said, "He [also] made a few birdies."

The Judges' first- and second-ranked players at the invitational, captain Lee Bloom '10, and Kyle Mangan '12, did not fare as well. Mangan finished the round with a 13-over-par 85, while Bloom, usually one of the team's best golfers, finished with 17-over-par 89, the highest individual score on the team.

Bloom attributed his unusual performance to the outcome of the second hole on the course.

"I five-putted the green," Bloom said. "That sort of deflated my round. It was pretty much an uphill battle from that point on, which is kind of unfortunate so early in the round."

He also commented that getting comfortable is a very important aspect of the game, but that the poor performance on the second green served as a distraction that affected the entire round. Coach Shipman, when asked about Bloom's playing, said, "He probably had his worst day as a Brandeis golfer."

At the Rhode Island College Invitational, the Judges, while placing eighth, were only five strokes out of a top-five finish and played a solid round of golf.

Bloom's poor performance last Sunday was unexpected based on his score from the RIC Invitational just two days prior. Bloom recorded a team low of seven-over-par 79, his fourth round under 80 this season.

"We were swinging pretty well," Bloom said. "The weather was less than desirable, but you don't really have control over that, and I was pretty satisfied with how I played."

The rest of the team was not far behind Bloom's low total. Charles Sacks '11, tied for 20th in individual scoring with a nine-over-par 81 while Cusato shot an 11-over-par 83, finishing in a tie for 32nd. Goldsmith recorded a 12-over-par 84 and tied for 36th as rookie Jerry Yu '13, the team's final player, finished with a 14-over-par 86, 44th overall in the invitational.

With the long week over, Bloom and Shipman both agreed that the team must work hard on improving its short game.

"Our putting seems to be a bit erratic," Shipman said.

"We need to chip the ball closer to the hole so we don't have as many long putts," Bloom added. "I am definitely going to be working on my putting and my short game. That is where the game is won."

The Judges head to Mamaroneck, N.Y. for the New York University/Manhattanville Invitational Friday.