The 2023-24 men's golf season kicked off with a pair of events that featured seven ODAC schools. Randolph-Macon was the lone league member to compete in The Gauntlet hosted at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in Harrisburg, Pa. Bridgewater hosted its annual Kinder-Williams Invitational at Lakeview Golf Club in Harrisonburg, Va. Six ODAC schools had at least one team of players competing in that event.
The first ODAC Men's Golfer of the Week award goes to Hampden-Sydney first-year Jack Barnes. Barnes, a native of Manakin Sabot, Va., finished tied for medalist honors with Sean Dowd from Stevenson University and Brogan Bennett from Southern Virginia University. They posted 36-hole scores of 3-under par 141 on the par-72 track set to 6,769 yards. Two playoff holes were necessary to determine a tournament champion, which saw Dowd come away with the tournament's top individual honor.
Barnes, competing in his first collegiate event as part of Hampden-Sydney's “B” team, opened with a 5-under 67 to own a two stroke lead over Dowd and Stevenson's Ryan Thomas after the first round. Barnes carded two eagles and three birdies against a pair of bogeys and 11 pars. In round two, he checked in with a 2-over 74. He again posted a trio of birdies and 11 pars against three bogeys and a double.
The Tigers' squad finished second overall at 9-over 585 (285-300). Roanoke's “A” team won the event at even-par 576 (289-287).