Lowenstein and Nastala Struggle at ECACs; Crimson Linkmen Close Book on Fall Season

A tough course and tougher weather hampered two Crimson linkmen at this weekend's ECAC golf championships in Lancaster Pa.. which concluded yesterday with the golfers estimating that final results will put the Crimson in the middle of the pack--at best.

Senior co-captain Carroll Lowenstein struggled to a score of 89-78 168, and freshman Chet Nastala managed an 83-91 174 for the two-day tournament. Lowenstein yesterday summarized the trip in three words: "We had trouble."

Lowenstein and Nastala were the only Harvard golfers who qualified for the championships at an early-October regional event in Stowe. Vt. The squad finished a disappointing third overall at the qualifiers: only the top two complete teams were eligible to advance to the ECAC's. Lowenstein and Nastala qualified by turning in scores placing them in the top ten. with Lowenstein winning medalist honors.

It was raining as Lowenstein and Nastala converged Sunday morning for the ECAC's with 12 teams and 31 individuals at the Lancaster Country Club.

Not even the prayers of all those in Amish country could stop the downpour from continuing all day; putts that normally would hang close to the cup instead slipped past it onto the slick greens by three and four feet. Low score for the day on the par 70 course was 76.

Lowenstein playing in a group o medalists, had an especially tough time. "It was like putting on a pool table. After shooting an 891 wanted to get out of there as fast as possible."

Monday hardly brought a break in the weather, as intermittent showers and low temperatures plagued the golfers throughout the day. Although Nastala slipped to a 91. Lowenstein was able to climb up to a respectable 78, a score he speculated would place him among the top 30 or 40 finishers.

The Lancaster Country Club course would have been challenging under any conditions, though. Carved into hills, it demands exceptional finesse and power, and Golf magazine ranks it among the top 50 courses in the United States.

Since the Lancaster meet concluded the fall chapter of men's golf, Lowenstein, Nastala and the rest of the team will move from the cold and wet of autumnal New England to the warm and wet of the weight room and practice net overlooking the IAB swimming pool.

Competition picks up again with a spring trip during March vacation, which the squad will help fincance by bartending for the Soldiers Field Stadium Club and the Blue Line Club.