Bucknell University
St. Peter's Invitational
Dolle's 67 Leads Bison Men's Golf to Victory at Peacock Invitational
4/20/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 20, 2004
RINGOES, N.J. - Bucknell junior Alex Dolle birdied seven of the last 16 holes en route to a career-best five-under-par 67 and the Bison men's golf team took first place at the St. Peter's Peacock Invitational on Tuesday at Heron Glen GC.
After going without a tournament win since 1987, Bucknell has now won twice during the 2003-04 season. The Bison also captured the Bucknell Invitational in September on their home course.
On Tuesday Bucknell tied the school 18-hole scoring record with a 291, this coming with three freshmen in the starting lineup and No. 1 player Abbie Valentine struggling to an 81.
Dolle was the story of the day. He bogeyed his first two holes, but then made seven birdies and nine pars the rest of the way and took home medalist honors for the first time in his career. His 67 is one stroke shy of the school record of 66, set by Bucknell Hall of Famer Chick Wagner -- the father of current Bison Charles Wagner -- against Juniata in 1975. The 66 came at the par-70 Bucknell Golf Club, however, and Dolle's five-under total is a school record in relation to par.
Dolle finished second at this tournament last year with a round of 73. His previous career low was 72. Tuesday's round was Bucknell's first in the 60s since Ken Kosteva and Jimmy Freeman carded matching 69s at the Bucknell Invitational on Sept. 15, 2000.
A pair of first-year players provided excellent support. Patrick Yingling shot a one-under 71, five shots better than his previous career best. Kyle Moran fired an even-par 72, also a personal best. Valentine's 81 counted as Bucknell's fourth score, while freshman Ryan Hom shot 86.
Bucknell's team total of 291 matched the school record set in the fall during the final round of the Bucknell Invitational. The score was four strokes better than runner-up Fairfield. Monmouth finished third at 300, followed by LaSalle (302), Fairleigh Dickinson (304), St. Peter's (305), Fordham (306), Wagner (309), Manhattan (312) and Adelphi (313).
The terrific showing by the Bison is an excellent lead-in to the Patriot League Championship, which gets underway this Saturday at Colgate's Seven Oaks GC.
