Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Golf Claims Fifth at PL Championship
4/27/2003 8:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 27, 2003
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Buoyed by final-round two-over 74s from Tom Lane and Abbie Valentine, the Bucknell men's golf team moved up one spot on the final day of play at the Patriot League Men's Golf Championship and finished fifth in the eight-team field.
After slogging around a rain-soaked course on Saturday, bright sunshine and mild temperatures greeted the field for the final 27 holes at Saucon Valley CC on Sunday. Navy, benefiting from a five-under 67 from Billy Hurley in the second round and a 68 from Brian Crum in the final round, captured the team title by 31 strokes over runner-up Lehigh.
Navy totaled 878 over 54 holes, followed by Lehigh (909), Army (916), Lafayette (923), Bucknell (938), American (941), Colgate (979) and Holy Cross (1007). The Bison trailed American by 10 strokes after Saturday's 27 holes, but finished strong with rounds of 310 and 309 on Sunday.
Lane, a freshman competing in his first Patriot League Championship, was very impressive with rounds of 79-75-74, and he earned an all-conference berth by finishing in a tie for eighth place. For the second year in a row, Valentine (74-82-74) finished in a tie for 11th place, also gaining an All-PL citation handed out to the top 12 finishers.
Sophomore Alex Dolle shot a solid 78-74-83 and tied for 17th. Freshman Ben Pellicani came up big for the Bison, shaking off an opening-round 90 with a pair of 79s. Rookie Chris Martinez (89-85-82) improved in each round, and the Bison used his 82 in the final round.
A fourth freshman, Brian Troast, also competed for the Orange & Blue and carded 88-89-88.
Crum finished with a four-under 212 (72-72-68) to steal medallist honors from teammate Hurley by three strokes. Nick Rodgers made it a 1-2-3 sweep for the Midshipmen, finishing at 223 for third place.
Lafayette's Jim Hutnik was named Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Leopards to their highest finish in tournament history.
