EAST HADDAM, Conn. -- The Bates men's golf team got off to a tough start, but the Bobcats improved with each round over the course of the three-day NESCAC Championship tournament, held Friday through Sunday at Fox Hopyard Golf Club.

Overall, the Bobcats finished in eighth place, ahead of Wesleyan and Colby.

Senior captain Henry Ehrlich (Portland, Ore.) led the way for the Bobcats, taking 27th place out of 50 golfers in the field. His tournament reflected the team's as a whole, as he started 11 over par on Friday before shooting a six-over-par 77 on Saturday, and wrapping up the tournament with a 75 on Sunday. He finished with five birdies overall, including two on the final day of the tournament.

First-year Malin Adams (Litchfield, Conn.) wasn't far behind, finishing in a tie for 29th place, shooting an 81, a 79, and a 77 along the way. 

The Bobcats went from 50 over par as a team on Friday, to 34 over on Saturday, and all the way down to 26 over par on Sunday. 

The NESCAC Men's Golf Championship is the final tournament of the season for the Bobcats.