This past weekend, the Franklin Pierce University men’s and women’s golf teams would have hosted the FPU Spring Invitational at Candia Woods Golf Links. As part of our ongoing series of Senior Day profiles, today we take a look at the program’s senior student-athletes.

Men’s Golf

By Gabi Sturgeon, staff writer.

The Franklin Pierce men’s golf team has made significant strides forward over the careers of the squad’s current seniors. Heading into this season, the team had made three straight appearances in the NCAA Championship Atlantic/East Regional, including the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2018. Three of the most integral members of the program over the last four years all looked back fondly on their four years in a Franklin Pierce uniform, and were especially proud of their trip all the way to the national championship tournament.

Fortunately for Sam Myers, he will be coming back to complete his eligibility and play for the Ravens next year. One of his most exciting experiences with the team so far was at the Saint Rose Fall Invitational in 2018, where the team took home the trophy and he claimed meda/list honors as well. He also explained that one of his favorite memories was making it to the 2018 NCAA National Championship and that, although he is coming back next year, he will definitely miss the departing seniors. Myers is a two-time All-Northeast-10 Conference selection, including Second Team honors this season.

Conversely, for Liam Donohue, this was his last season with the Ravens. Donohue played with the Ravens for four years. He also cited the trip to Alabama for the National Championship in 2018 as one of his favorite memories with the team. Donohue also added, “I am going to miss the guys, and the chance to play golf every day.”

As for Keeton Foster, he said that one of his favorite memories was, “Stepping up to that first tee of the Division II National Championship. Our team did something very special in our sophomore year and to be a part of that and experience an NCAA championship was amazing.” Foster played all four years for the crimson and grey as well. “We had some ups and downs and in between, but no matter what I always knew I had my team, my friends, and my family,” added Foster. Foster is also a two-time All-NE10 pick, including Second Team accolades as a freshman.

Five other seniors round out the Class of 2020 for the men’s golf team, and provided important depth for the Ravens during their careers. Justin Bennett was a four-year member of the roster and took 56^th place at the FPU Fall Invitational in 2018. Nate Patterson was a two-time All-NE10 pick after transferring in from Rhode Island College, including Second Team honors after a top-10 finish at the NE10 Championships this fall. Kurtis Raymond was a four-year member of the squad, as were Jason Vadnais and Anthony Vincequere. Vadnais took ninth place against Saint Michael’s during his junior season, while Vincequere tied for 12^th at the 2018 FPU Fall Invitational.

All seniors will definitely miss their coach, Tyler Bishop. Donohue said, “Coach Bishop, obviously, we have been through [a lot together], he has been a great mentor.”

Bishop had a few words to say to his graduating seniors as well. “I would like to thank our seniors for all their hard work and dedication to our program over the last four years. Our seniors turned Franklin Pierce Men’s Golf into a top team in our conference and region over the last three years and I am so proud of them and what they accomplished."

Women’s Golf

By Tyler Aragao, staff writer.

Meanwhile, the women’s golf team tore it up during the fall of 2019. The Ravens finished first in every tournament they competed in, capped by the team’s second NE10 title in three years. This year’s senior class has been defined by success, with runner-up finishes at the NE10 Championship in 2016 and 2018, to go with NE10 titles in 2017 and 2019, and an NCAA East Super Regional appearance in spring of 2018 as well. For a program that is only six years old, this class of seniors has helped ensure a winning culture will continue in the years to come.

The NE10 title in the fall came with an automatic berth back to the NCAA East Super Regional this spring, before the team’s quest for glory was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The spring season that never was sees some fantastic careers end too soon and also prevents a team of great talent and camaraderie from continuing the torrid stretch they were on this past fall. “The spring season is when we are hungry to compete in the NCAA Regional championship as well as a chance to qualify for nationals,” said team captain Sydney Caron.

The frustration and sadness of not being able to compete after winning the conference in the fall resonated throughout the team. “For the whole thing to end abruptly kind of sucks,” said Zoey Yamamoto, who was named to the NE10 All-Conference First Team. But Yamamoto, who was captaining the team for the second straight season, said she wouldn’t take anything back. “Overall, I think we had a great season and it was filled with wonderful memories,” she said. For Yamamoto it was a successful season individually, highlighted by the team’s accomplishment of securing the program’s second NE10 title in three years.

One word that found its way into both captains’ remarks as they looked back was “family.” Family is a word that is often used to describe the bond of a team, perhaps excessively. But this group of Ravens, one of the smaller programs on campus, emphasized the importance of being together. “These girls are truly my family,” said Taylor Hartley, who spent three years as a member of the team. “I know every team says it, but for us it’s truly a family,” she emphasized. For Hartley it was a gamble to transfer. Coming from Portland State University in the Pacific Northwest, to rural New Hampshire was a big shift. Hartley made the move and it was one she would not regret. “I’m so thankful to be able to say I took a chance on this little school,” said Hartley, who finished up her career as a Raven by being named to the NE10 All-Conference Second Team.

The Ravens were led by team captains, Caron of Gorham, Maine, and Yamamoto of Honolulu, Hawaii. Hartley of Canton, Ga., Rosa Jones of Mystic, N.Y., and grad student Maddie Myers of Colchester, Vt., round out the rest of the senior class.

Caron competed in 10 tournaments across four years for Franklin Pierce. As a freshman, she helped secure a team title at the Fall Invitational. A first-time captain this season, Caron recalled how golf was frustrating for her early on as she grew up. “It’s such a male-dominated sport, so I didn’t have a lot of friends to share it with,” she said. But that all changed once she got to Franklin Pierce. “It was a totally different experience,” said Caron. “I had never been part of such a close-knit team.”

Hartley transferred to Pierce after spending her freshman season at Portland State University. She saved her best for the spotlight, as her highest finish each of the last two seasons was at the NE10 Championship. Her junior season saw her named to the All-NE10 First Team and was also named to the All-Championship Team after a third-place finish. To wrap up her career, she earned her second consecutive All-Championship Team selection, while also earning a nod to the All-NE10 Second Team after a fourth-place finish this fall. “It’s really an indescribable feeling,” she said when asked about how it felt to be part of this group. “These were the best days of my life,” she added.

Jones was a four-year member of the program. She competed in 20 total tournaments for the Ravens, including the NCAA Division II East Super Regional in 2018, where she turned in a three-round total of 266 (+50) to place 64th. In her final collegiate tournament, she was 14^th at this year’s FPU Fall Invitational.

Myers, sister of Sam from the men’s team, joined Pierce as a graduate student after spending her four undergraduate years at Providence College. While at PC, she was a four-year member of the women’s ice hockey team as a goaltender. She left Providence second all-time in games played (125), wins (59) and saves (2,938). She was a four-time women’s golf individual state champion in high school, and at Pierce she was able to compete in the Fall Invitational this year, where she tied for 30th.

Yamamoto picked up her fourth consecutive All-NE10 First Team selection to wrap up her collegiate career. The NE10 Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, Yamamoto picked up seven NE10 Rookie of the Week awards and earned eight top-10 finishes as a freshman. As a sophomore she competed in the East Super Regional, where she tied for 30th place after shooting a three-round total of 237 (+21). She finished in the top-15 in each of her four NE10 Championships, including a second place finish as a junior. A member of two NE10 title-winning teams, Yamamoto had three top-10 finishes and two within the top-five during her abbreviated senior season. “The girls on this team make this a family and I’m beyond grateful,” she said.