Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Bucknell Invitational
Pike Finishes 4-Under to Lift Bucknell Men's Golf to Individual Title
9/13/2008 8:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 13, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Junior Jeff Pike (Rye, N.Y./Rye) shot a career-best, 4-under-par 136 to take the individual title and lead the Bucknell men's golf squad to the team championship at its own fall tournament, the Bucknell Invitational, which wrapped up Saturday at the soggy Bucknell Golf Club.
Pike carded rounds of 67 and 69 on the par-70 course, winning his first career medalist honor by two shots over C.G. Mercatoris of Robert Morris (72-66). The Bison defended their 2007 Bucknell Invitational title, and they have now won this tournament in four of the last six years.
The event was originally scheduled for 54 holes, but play was suspended due to rain on Friday after about nine holes. The 12-team field finished up round one under clear skies on Saturday morning, then concluded the abbreviated tournament in the afternoon as more rain moved in.
Bucknell shot 286 (+6) as a team in both rounds for a 36-hole total of 572. Canisius took second at 586, followed by Colgate at 592, Robert Morris (594), Lehigh (600), Laval (601), Lafayette (602), the Bucknell "Blue" team (608), Ottawa (611), Fordham (617), St. Peter's (620) and Susquehanna (633).
Pike had plenty of support behind his magnificent play. Junior Brian Bartow (Rye, N.Y./Rye Neck) also shot 69 in the second round after finishing round one with a 74. His 3-over 143 placed him in a tie for third place. Junior Andrew Cohen (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) shot 73-74 and finished in a tie for 10th.
Brian Poe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Gilmour Academy), the team's lone senior, shot 72-76, while sophomore Andrew Wallisch (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) turned in rounds of 77-74.
Sophomore Parker Phillips (Laguna Beach, Calif./St. Margaret's Episcopal) was the low man on the "Blue" squad. His even-par 70 in the second round put him at 147 for the tournament, good for a share of 10th place.
Also for the "Blue," sophomore Ben Mattingly (Fishers, Ind./Park Tudor) shot 74-76, sophomore Ryan Schneiter (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) shot 78-76, freshman Patrick Morsches (Alpharetta, Ga./Marist School) carded 79-78, and first-year player Will Bachman (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley) shot 81-84.
Bucknell has now won 11 tournament titles since the start of the 2003-04 season, including the four at the Bucknell Invitational.
Pike's 67 is tied for the fifth-best competitive round in program history, two shots off Ben Pellicani's school-record 65, set in the 2005 Patriot League Championship at Bucknell.
The Bison will be at the Colgate Invitational next Saturday and Sunday at Seven Oaks GC in Hamilton, N.Y.
