Northampton golfer Andrew Hozza shot a 77 at Monday’s EPC Golf Tournament, and it ended up being good enough for third place.

The match took place at Woodstone Country Club, which happens to be the Kids’ home course this season. Having course knowledge certainly helped Hozza shoot a strong round, which was one shot off his personal best round of 76 at Woodstone.

“It made things more comfortable having a little bit of course knowledge,” said Hozza. “It made every shot a little easier knowing where you want it, where to put it.

“I started strong. Putting, I was sinking a lot of putts. Five footers were going in, they were falling. Everything was just consistent. Nothing was really hurting me.”

Hozza birded the first hole and followed it with a par. He double-bogeyed hole four, but that was his only one of the day. He was one-over through the first nine, and finished with five bogeys and two birdies, ending up one shot back of winner Matt Kalamar of Central, who shot 76. Brett Wagner of Pocono Mountain East also shot 77.

“It’s an accomplishment, definitely, coming in here,” Hozza said. “Top-five was a goal. Ranges I had was a 78-82, so I exceeded the range by one and that’s a positive. Overall it’s a good feeling.”

Hozza said he doesn’t really think about his goals in the middle of a round, however.

“I usually don’t worry about it,” Hozza said. “I try not to remember my score when I’m playing. I just write it down and try to forget if it’s good or bad, have the same mindset, just go out and try to get pars.”

As of press time, Hozza was hoping he was exempt from the District 11 Qualifier, which will be held next week at Olde Homestead. If so, he could move right into a district berth. But either way, Hozza is just going to take things one shot at a time and hope he can continue to peak at the right time in his season.

“I started the season off slow,” Hozza said. “The more I’ve been playing the more I’ve been getting comfortable with myself and that results in lower scores. The past five rounds have been in the high 70s, 77-79 range, last few matches of high school and practices rounds.”

Andrew Kovalchik shot 88, Jack Test had a 91, Anthony Sawarynski shot 99 and Devon Britton had a 104. Kate Gogel shot a 94, which was third for the girls. Jess Bretzik had a 110. Michelle Cox of Emmaus was the girls winner with an 82. Stroudsburg’s Olivia Patrow was second with a 91.

Liberty won the team title with a 331, just two shots better than rival Bethlehem Catholic with a 333.

The Kids were sixth with a 355. Parkland was fourth with a 352, Nazareth was fourth at 351 and Emmaus shot a 353 for fifth.