Crimson Duffers, With Four Men Out, Take Merrimack by 48-Stroke Margin

Just because your last name is Nichlaus doesn't guarantee success in golf, Merrimack College's Larry Nichlaus learned that fact yesterday afternoon at the Concord Country Club, when his squad was crushed by the Crimson linksters, 447-399, for the latter's third victory of the spring.

Larry Nichlaus, Merrimack's seventh-ranked golfer entering yesterday's match, carded an 83 to lead his team. Unfortunately, his teammates were named Parrotta, Kostylo, and Reddish, which is a long way from Miller, Weiskopf, and Trevino.

As a result, Harvard, despite playing with only its top three golfers (the remaining four of the top seven were out attempting to qualify for this weekend's Ivy League Tournament), was able to walk off with an easy 48-stroke triumph.

The Crimson's premier performer, freshman Alexander Vik, shot an impressive 75 over the windy Concord course. Vik had consistent nines of 37-38 in outscoring his Merrimack opponent by 16 shots. Co-captains Tom Yellin and Steve McConnell chipped in with rounds of 77 and 82, respectively; the former's sub-80 round was made possible by a string of birdies on the final three holes.

Harvard's point total was concluded through the efforts of Robin Synne and Dave Paxton, with rounds of 82 and 83. The next best Merrimack score after Nichlaus's 83 was an 89, a fact which goes a long way towards explaining the relative ease with which the Crimson triumphed.

The linksters now enter this weekend's Ivy tournament with an undefeated slate. The tournament is a two-day, 36-hole meet which will be contested for the first time this year. As for Merrimack, it returns to North Andover with the knowledge that one Nichlaus is simply not enough, especially one who doesn't even spell his name correctly.