Gilman’s Bennett Espenshade wins 2024 MIAA individual golf title in a playoff

by James Peters

A little extra putting practice paid off for Gilman senior golfer Bennett Espenshade, who holed a pair of pivotal putts to capture his first MIAA Individual Golf title at the United States Naval Academy Golf Course.

After seeing a four-stroke lead in the final few holes whittled away through a pair of birdies by St. Paul’s senior Tommy Sharps and a costly No. 16 hole, Espenshade regrouped in time to defeat Sharps in the first playoff hole, sinking a 20-foot putt for the win after knocking in a three footer on No. 18 to force the extra hole.

“It’s awesome. Being my last round for Gilman golf, it’s super special,” said Espenshade, who carded a two-day, one-under-par 139 along with Sharps to set up the extra hole of action while 2023 co-champion Braden Decapite of Loyola placed third with a five-over par, two-day total of 145. “Three times before this, I tried and failed to win, so it’s really gratifying to be able to come out on top today.

“I just kind of relied on all of the practice I’ve put in. I spent some time last night on the putting green. I just told myself. I’ve done it before, so I can do it again.”

Such dramatics by Espenshade appeared to be unnecessary as he entered day two of the championship event with a three-stroke lead that stood at a commanding four heading into the No. 16 hole. A triple bogey, however, plus two birdies in the last three holes by Sharps saw the pair head to the par-4, 460-yard No. 8 hole with the individual league title on the line.

“Coming in with a three-shot lead and having to sit on it for a while, that was tough,” Espenshade said. “Stretched it to a big lead and kind of got a little complacent, but just tried to keep myself in the moment and play golf.”

Espenshad had the better drive-Sharps saw his tee shot land in the left fringe-and the more accurate approach shot, landing 20 yards from the cup while Sharps flew the green and then saw his chip onto the green fall well short of the cup to set up the Gilman golfer’s winning putt.

“It’s hard to erase the memory of what happened on 16, a triple there to give up the lead, but I kind of told myself, `You’re still in it,’” Epsenshad said. “I hit two good shots on the playoff hole to give myself a great look. I got a good read on it and hit a really good putt. I just put a really good stroke on it.”

Sharps added: “I just tried to commit to every shot out there and just play my own game and see where it ended up. The four-shot swing on 16 put me in a chance to maybe come out of here with a win. Bogeyed a tough par-3 (on No. 17), just hit it over the green and made a nice birdie on 18 to get myself a playoff, so I’m really proud of how I held myself and how I played.”

While Sharps was unable to claim the individual title, his Crusaders tied its own championship record low score of 586 to beat out runner-up Mount St. Joseph’s (608) and Boys’ Latin (628) for the program’s fourth straight league crown and 13th overall. Oliver Clark (6th, 148), Adler Dodson (8th, 149), and last year’s co-champion Matt Guy (9th, 150) round out St. Paul’s championship squad. 

“This is my first year as head coach, so I’m coming at the tail end of (those four consecutive titles),” St. Paul’s coach Mike O’Neill said,. “I played at St. Paul’s when I was younger. It’s great to see that the golf program continues to thrive. These kids are phenomenal. They’re great young men and really good players. I’m really proud, especially of what the seniors have accomplished. It’s pretty cool. 

“We’ve got a great team, a mature team, that has been here before. It’s not surprising to see everyone play well today. Tommy finished really well, birding two out of the last three.”

Rounding out the top five individual finishers were Calvert Hall’s Caleb Itzoe, who carded an even-par 70 Wednesday for a two-day total of 146 for fourth place, and Mount St. Joseph’s Aidan Tudor, who placed fifth with a score of 147.

For the first time ever the MIAA also crowned individual champions for each conference. Espenshade obviously took the A Conference title, while Boys' Latin's Robert Ward, who posted a two round score of 153, won the B Conference, and Beth Tfiloh's Sean Bolotin, carded 174 over the two rounds, to win the C Conference title.