Golf Takes Early Lead in Star Match

Friday, October 7

West Point, NY

Army West Point

Navy

Golf Takes Early Lead in Star Match

October 07, 2022 | Men's Golf

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point golf team has a one-point lead after the four-ball matches on Friday at West Point Golf Course in the annual Star Match.

The Black Knights have a 2.5-1.5 advantage following the first day of the Star Match, which is part of the Army-Navy Star Series, presented by USAA.

Army got a huge lift from John Heckel Jr. and Joshua Kim, who started out hot as a pairing and never relinquished the lead and won 6&5. Kim sank multiple putts in the match to give Army the opening 1-0 lead.

Josh Kim sinks this long putt to earn the first point of the ?? Match!

Kim and Heckel Jr. win 6&5! Army leads 1-0! #GoArmy?? | #BEATnavy pic.twitter.com/RFN4tdQ45R
— Army Golf (@ArmyWP_Golf) October 7, 2022

Gary Bullard and James Ballato had a slow start but chipped away and got to all-square through the opening nine holes. Highlighting the comeback was a 35-foot putt nailed by Bullard, which tied the match on the ninth hole. The pair then gained a 1-up advantage through 12 holes and never trailed again and won 1-up after 18 holes.

Gary Bullard secures our second point of the day!!

Bullard and Ballato win 1-UP!#GoArmy?? | #BEATnavy pic.twitter.com/lrGf0Z2RLG
— Army Golf (@ArmyWP_Golf) October 7, 2022

Marshall Daniel and Rob Ferris played a great match and clawed their way back to an all-square finish after being down three making the turn after nine. They erased the advantage quickly and got to all-square on the 15th tee. On 17, Daniel hit a clutch putt and then the pairings finished all-square on a tough 18th hole.

Marshall Daniel sinks another putt to pull All Square heading to 18!!

Thru three matches, Army leads 2-1. #GoArmy?? | #BEATnavy pic.twitter.com/M33n2oCHh7
— Army Golf (@ArmyWP_Golf) October 7, 2022

The teams are back out on the course on Saturday morning with seven singles matches to decide the Star and the first tee is at 8:30 AM at the West Point Golf Course.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS
Gary Bullard / James Ballato (Army) def. Keegan Shreves / Chip Deegan (Navy), 1 UP
John Heckel Jr. / Joshua Kim (Army) def. Ben Valdez / Noah Nuez (Navy), 6&5
Marshall Daniel / Rob Ferris (Army) vs. Braxton Tracy / Jack Trazy (Navy), All-Square
Andrew Wilkinson/Owen Huntington (Navy) def. Dragon Theam / Samuel Kim (Army), 3&2