Bridgewater, VA – In Walker Gillespie’s first career start as an Eagle, he earned the ODAC Golfer of the Week award and helped propel the Bridgewater men’s golf team to a top five finish at the Kinder Williams Invitational, while also finishing in a tie for third individually.
Gillespie started off with a score of +2 (74) in the opening round on Monday and followed up his first collegiate round of golf with a score of -4 (68) on Tuesday. The first-year finished the tournament at -2 overall, which earned him an ODAC Golfer of the Week award.
“Starting in my first tournament was awesome,” said Gillespie. “It was nice to be able to help out the team to start the season.”
The men’s golf team has not seen someone win ODAC Player of the Week since senior Jacob Laughlin in February 2021. With three tournaments remaining in the fall, and the spring season still left, Gillespie is now looking forward.
“It means a lot to win player of the week, and I look to hopefully do it again,” added Gillespie. “I hope someone else on the team gets it as well.”
The stellar play from the underclassmen has not gone unnoticed. Team captain, senior Max Bondurant, has been impressed with the play of Gillespie early on.
“It is nice to see guys stepping up, especially Walker and B Wash [junior Brandon Washburn],” said Bondurant. “I got a chance to get out and watch some of the guys at the Kinder Williams Invitational and I was really impressed. Walker especially played well in some tough conditions.”
Gillespie hopes to continue his hot start as the Eagles travel to CNU in mid October. Although it is not typical for teams to have about a month in between tournaments, it has given Gillespie a chance to sharpen some things up.
“I was pleased with how I finished at the Kinder Williams, but I was not happy with the putting performance,” said Gillespie. “This time off has been good to try and get some confidence back in the flat stick.”
One person who is pleased with the golf right now is Head Golf Coach John Rogers. He has an ODAC Golfer of the Week on both the women’s and men’s side.
Senior Sophia Martone also won the ODAC Golfer of the Week award after winning the Eagles’ first tournament of the season individually. The women finished second as a team at Cacapon in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
