READING, Pa. – Men's golf began the two-day Yocum Cup this morning against Alvernia. Today's day one featured three four ball matches with Albright taking two of the three available points. The fourball matches were played at Berkshire Country Club.

The Yocum Cup is an annual event against cross town rival Alvernia. Today, the two sides engaged in three fourball matches. This year's installment of the Yocum Cup marked the 20^th annual. Prior to the round one getting underway, John Yocum Jr. spoke to both teams and delivered a inspiring message. The trophy that is awarded to the winning team is named after John Yocum Sr.

Last season, Albright won the Yocum Cup 7 ½ to 1 ½ running away with it in the end to bring the trophy back to Albright for the first time since 2018.

As in previous Yocum Cups, the team that reaches five total team points is determined the winner. You earn one point for each fourball win and one point for every singles match win. If either the fourball matches or singles matches ends in a tie, each team earns a half point. The six single matches will be tomorrow on the second day of the Yocum Cup.

Since Albright is the reigning champions, the Lions will need 4.5 total points to win the Yocum Cup. If the two teams are tied at the end of the second day, the team that won the previous year retains the trophy.

The coaching staff in Eric Lamm and Hank Kline were pleased overall with the play and results this afternoon. "We got down early in two of our three matches but the guys never quit on themselves and the team. Each player in the lineup battled today, especially on tough greens, to earn two points heading into tomorrow's singles matches. Very proud of what the team accomplished today but there is still work to be done and we can not wait to see what tomorrow brings."

Sam Elsen and Evan Twyman were paired together on day one and turned in a strong performance leading the charge for the Lions. The duo went one up on the very first hole earning a birdie seeing Alvernia turn in a bogey.

After Alvernia cut the deficit back to one down, the Lions got the job done on the back nine going two up after hole 11 and three up after hole 13. The Golden Wolves got back to within two down but Elsen and Tywman tied holes 16 and 17 to win the match 2&1.

Charles Bailey and Oliver Liljeblad had a back and forth match throughout today. Alvernia went one up on the first hole, Albright then got back level winning the fourth hole. The Golden Wolves won the fifth hole and much like before Bailey and Liljeblad evened the score after the eighth hole.

The Lions would then win hole nine, lose hole 10 and then win hole 11 to go back up one with seven holes to play. Alvernia found themselves in front when it was all said and done winning the last three holes to win the match two up.

Ben Egin and Jonatan Liljeblad came from behind to win their fourball match. The Lion paring found themselves two down after two holes played. Egin and Liljeblad are not new to the Yocum Cup having played in last seasons event. The experience showed as the day went on for the duo knowing exactly what they needed to do to earn another team point.

After the completion of the eighth hole, Egin and J. Liljeblad found themselves all square with Alvernia. Holes 10, 12 and 13 went in favor of Albright seeing Egin and J. Liljeblad move to three up with six holes to play. The Golden Wolves took hole 14 to make things interesting but Egin and J. Liljeblad remained calm under pressure bouncing back to win hole 15 going three up with three holes to play. Albright and Alvernia tied hole 16 giving the Lions the win 3&2.
 
Day 1 of the Yocum Cup - Fourball Results @ Berkshire Country Club

Albright 2 points      
Alvernia 1 point
 
Fourball Match Results:

Match #1: Sam Elsen & Evan Twyman (ALB) vs Matt Davies & Kenton Lightburn (ALV)

• ALB wins match 2&1

Match #2: Jakob Chapman & Shawn Williams (ALV) vs Charles Bailey & Oliver Liljeblad (ALB)

• ALV wins match 2UP

Match #3: Ben Egin & Jonatan Liljeblad (ALB) vs Matt Gagliardi & Jackson Hoovler (ALV)

• ALB wins match 3&2

 
Up Next:
The Yocum Cup will start at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow at LedgeRock Golf Club. Tomorrow's action will feature six single matches to determine the winner of the 20^th annual Yocum Cup.