Upcoming Event: Men's Golf versus Metropolis Intercollegiate on September 8, 2025
Men's Golf
vs Metropolis Intercollegiate
A Special Thanks
5/7/2009 9:30:00 AM | Men's Golf
Hello Big Green Golf fans,
What an unbelievable season to be apart of. Let me start by thanking the Friends of Golf for their generosity this past year, especially for helping with the spring trip to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Gehret and his son Jake deserve special thanks for setting everything up for us and making things go very smoothly. The Henleys and Mullanys made the trip fun for the team as they came to visit during our stay. I wish you all could have been there. It was our fourth trip of a lifetime in my four years. We played some great golf courses, most notably The Teeth of The Dog. It was Pebble Beach with better greens. We were as close to heaven as one could ever imagine.
I cannot begin to tell you what that trip has done for the chemistry of Dartmouth golf. It was an educational trip in every sense of the word. I came away with the fact that the coach will never share a house with his players through his remaining tenure here at Dartmouth. You had to be there. These kids can eat.
I left the island with a great feeling about the spring season. We got off to a somewhat rough start as each kid was given a chance to make the Ivy League squad, which may have given you an anxious feeling about our not so great finishes along the way. We had a plan and it almost became a reality last week in N.J. at the Ivy League Championship.
We played a decent first round and sat in the middle of the pack, led by freshmen Peter Williamson shooting a 69. The second round was what we had been waiting for four years. We turned the front nine at seven-under par as a team and were in a great position to pull away from the crowd. Shooting a score of even par (280) and tossing out a 72 was unheard of. The kids went to bed two strokes off the lead and were in the heat of the battle. My goal as your coach has always been to make these kids competitive and have a chance to win. It was the most fun-filled night in my long golfing career. We believed in our selves and everyone knew who we were.
We did not get off to a great start in the third round but rallied to have a chance. We stumbled a little coming in and ended up six strokes from claiming the title. Who knew besides these five kids that this could happen?
Peter Williamson scrambled his way into a playoff and won the individual title along with being first team All-Ivy. He was also named Ivy League Rookie and Player of the Year for his performance. I truly believe that Peter's attitude rubbed off on the kids as they followed him and his approach, aspiring to playing better golf when things mattered.
Seniors Rob Henley and Alex Abate saved their best for last and it made me so proud to be there to see it happen. We heard people say it could not be done here at Dartmouth. We proved otherwise.
Peter and I are headed to Galloway National Golf Club next week for 54 holes at the NCAA Regional Tournament. Sure hope some of you can make it down to cheer him on.
Thanks everyone for your support, primarily your phone calls and emails. They keep the spirit going.
Rumors tell me that Bill Johnson, your fearless leader, could make an appearance at the TKI this summer. Hope to see you all along the journey.
Have a great summer,
Rich and The Big Green Golf Team
What an unbelievable season to be apart of. Let me start by thanking the Friends of Golf for their generosity this past year, especially for helping with the spring trip to the Dominican Republic. Dr. Gehret and his son Jake deserve special thanks for setting everything up for us and making things go very smoothly. The Henleys and Mullanys made the trip fun for the team as they came to visit during our stay. I wish you all could have been there. It was our fourth trip of a lifetime in my four years. We played some great golf courses, most notably The Teeth of The Dog. It was Pebble Beach with better greens. We were as close to heaven as one could ever imagine.
I cannot begin to tell you what that trip has done for the chemistry of Dartmouth golf. It was an educational trip in every sense of the word. I came away with the fact that the coach will never share a house with his players through his remaining tenure here at Dartmouth. You had to be there. These kids can eat.
I left the island with a great feeling about the spring season. We got off to a somewhat rough start as each kid was given a chance to make the Ivy League squad, which may have given you an anxious feeling about our not so great finishes along the way. We had a plan and it almost became a reality last week in N.J. at the Ivy League Championship.
We played a decent first round and sat in the middle of the pack, led by freshmen Peter Williamson shooting a 69. The second round was what we had been waiting for four years. We turned the front nine at seven-under par as a team and were in a great position to pull away from the crowd. Shooting a score of even par (280) and tossing out a 72 was unheard of. The kids went to bed two strokes off the lead and were in the heat of the battle. My goal as your coach has always been to make these kids competitive and have a chance to win. It was the most fun-filled night in my long golfing career. We believed in our selves and everyone knew who we were.
We did not get off to a great start in the third round but rallied to have a chance. We stumbled a little coming in and ended up six strokes from claiming the title. Who knew besides these five kids that this could happen?
Peter Williamson scrambled his way into a playoff and won the individual title along with being first team All-Ivy. He was also named Ivy League Rookie and Player of the Year for his performance. I truly believe that Peter's attitude rubbed off on the kids as they followed him and his approach, aspiring to playing better golf when things mattered.
Seniors Rob Henley and Alex Abate saved their best for last and it made me so proud to be there to see it happen. We heard people say it could not be done here at Dartmouth. We proved otherwise.
Peter and I are headed to Galloway National Golf Club next week for 54 holes at the NCAA Regional Tournament. Sure hope some of you can make it down to cheer him on.
Thanks everyone for your support, primarily your phone calls and emails. They keep the spirit going.
Rumors tell me that Bill Johnson, your fearless leader, could make an appearance at the TKI this summer. Hope to see you all along the journey.
Have a great summer,
Rich and The Big Green Golf Team
Players Mentioned
Interview: Coach Conversation with Rich Parker, Mar. 29, 2023
Wednesday, March 29
Interview: Coaching during COVID: Men's and Women's Golf, April 20, 2021
Wednesday, June 09
Interview: Season Interrupted - Men's Golf, Apr. 2, 2020
Thursday, April 02
