Oct. 1, 2007
Manakin-Sabot, Va. - There's something about Virginia golf courses that caters to the game of sophomore Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.). At last year's VCU/Mattaponi Springs Shootout, Foley shot a career-low 68 in the second round, propelling Penn State to a first place finish. This year, Foley sits alone atop the leaderboard at 11-under par through two rounds at the VCU Shootout.
"My putting was on point today," Foley said. "I had a routine and just felt good putting. Making putts is what it comes down to, and that's what wins tournaments."
Foley, last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, shot an opening-round 65, his lowest career round and the lowest round of the 81-player field at the tournament thus far. In the second round, Foley fired a 68, taking a two shot lead over North Carolina's Kevin O'Connell.
Through 36 holes, Foley recorded 11 birdies, 21 pars and an eagle on the 14th hole in the second round, sinking a 95-yard wedge shot to erase his double bogey on the 8th hole.
If Foley continues his stellar play, he'll have a chance at winning his first career collegiate tournament.
"I've got to stay with the same game plan I had today," Foley said. "I have to be aggressive at some points, stay away from mistakes and focus on every shot. If I do that, I'll be able to score well like I did today."
While Foley will look to earn medalist honors for the first time, he'll also try to help Penn State capture its second title of the season.
The Nittany Lions won last weekend's Wolf Run Intercollegiate and are tied for first with Wisconsin with one round to play at the VCU Shootout. Penn State, ranked 29th in the nation by the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, posted scores of 283 and 279 for a two-round total of 562 (-14).
Wisconsin shot rounds of 284 and 278 to stay tied with Penn State while seventh ranked Tennessee-Chattanooga shot 566, four shots behind the leaders. Host team VCU is in sixth place at two-under par (574).
Fifteen teams, 11 of which qualified for last year's NCAA Men's Golf Championship are competing in the 54-hole tournament, played at Hermitage Country Club's Manakin Course, a 6,955-yard, par-72 course in Manakin-Sabot, Va.
Penn State sophomore Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) is on pace for the best finish of his collegiate career. Markovitz shot 70 in both rounds and sits in a four-way tie for fifth place at four-under par.
Senior Robert Rohanna (Waynesburg, Pa.) is tied for 25th place at one-over par after firing rounds of 73 and 72 (145). Senior Harvin Groft (State College, Pa.) posted scores of 75 and 73 (148) and is tied for 50th at four-over par. Redshirt freshman T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) shot a career-low 69 in his second round, putting him in a tie for 61st place at six-over par (150).
Penn State golfers will tee off at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning with a chance to secure another win.
"We put ourselves in position to contend for another title," Foley said. "We're hoping to battle and come out on top."
For live final round scoring of the VCU Shootout, click here.
Team R1 R2 Total To ParT1) Penn State 283 279 562 -14T1) Wisconsin 284 278 562 -143) Tennessee-Chattanooga 279 287 566 -104) North Carolina 288 280 568 -85) Virginia Tech 290 283 573 -36) VCU 286 288 574 -27) Wake Forest 289 286 575 -1T8) Southeastern La. 286 291 577 +1T8) Wichita State 295 282 577 +110) Old Dominion 284 295 579 +311) Maryland 292 291 583 +712) Iowa State 297 290 587 +1113) UNC-Wilmington 292 298 590 +1414) South Florida 296 296 592 +1615) Liberty 310 291 601 +25
Penn State Players R1 R2 Total To Par1) Kevin Foley 65 68 133 -11T5) Jim Markovitz 70 70 140 -4T25) Robert Rohanna 73 72 145 +1T50) Harvin Groft 75 73 148 +4T61) T.J. Howe 81 69 150 +6