Feb. 14, 2009
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - The first annual Big Ten Match Play tournament concluded today crowning No. 8 Indiana University with the title. The Nittany Lions competed in the fourth round of consolation against the No. 40 Buckeyes, ending in a 5-1 loss.
Senior Chad Bricker (Waynesboro, Pa.) led the Nittany Lions in points, winning all three of his matches including today's against Ohio State's Alex Redfield 3&2. Bricker was also named a member of the All-Tournament Team, voted on by the coaches, along side top 20 nationally ranked players like No. 3 Jorge Campillo of Indiana and No. 18 Vaugnn Snyder of Ohio State.
"What a great performance by Chad Bricker this weekend," said head coach Greg Nye. "He took advantage of some playing time and came out on top for us."
All-American Kevin Foley (Sommerville, N.J.) lost to the No.18 nationally ranked Snyder 3&2, concluding play after 16 holes.
Sophomore Tommy McDonagh (Wilton, Conn.) fell to Bo Hoag 6&5, going 1-2 in the tournament. McDonagh gave Penn State one point on the weekend with his win on Friday. Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) lost to Michael Cres 2&1 in 16 holes of play and Junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) put up a tough fight against Buckeye Brad Smith but fell in the final hole.
After returning to play from withdrawing in Friday's entirety because of flu symptoms, freshmen Nick Archambault (Q.C., Canada) lost a tough battle to Brad Wright in 18 holes.
"Nick was playing at three quarter speed today, still feeling under the weather," said Nye. "He put up a great fight and was leading in the beginning, but he just ran out of steam in the end."
No. 8 Indiana took the title today after edging out No. 37 Michigan in the final round. Indiana was ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten behind No. 1 Illinois who fell to No. 28 Michigan State.
The Big Ten Match Play Championship will be broadcasted March 1, 2009, on the Big Ten Network.
"The tournament went extremely well and the players really enjoyed the format," said Nye. "It was a great course and we got to played golf for two days straight."
The Nittany Lions will have a few weeks off before heading to North Carolina for the Pinehurst Intercollegiate. The tournament will be played March 15- 17.
Big Ten Match Play placing First- Indiana Second- Michigan Third - MSU Fourth - Illinois Fifth - Northwestern Sixth - Purdue Seventh - Wisconsin Eighth - Iowa
All-Tournament Team Chad Bricker -PSU (3-0) Vaugnn Snyder -OSU (3-0 Jorge Campillo 0 IN (3-0) Jordan Ensrud - MSU (3-0) Matt Thompson - MICH (3-0) Eric Chun - NU (4-0)