May 3, 2009
University Park, Pa. - The final day of the 2009 Big Ten men's golf championships concluded play Sunday with a dramatic end. Coming down to the very last put, Penn State junior Kevin Foley (Sommerville, N.J.) finished in second place, the best placing ever for a Nittany Lion in a Big Ten Championship. The Fighting Illini took the team championship while Penn State tied for fourth place, jumping two spots with the conclusion of the last hole.
Penn State's fourth place position is carded as the second best Big Ten finish in program history and best since the Nittany Lions' third place spot in 2000. Penn State carded four rounds of 290-296-296-288 (1170) to finish at 34-over par, three-strokes back from top three honors. The Nittany Lions battled with the Buckeyes in the final round to eventually end in a tie. Illinois took the championship title after a 21-year hiatus. Illinois finished at 13-over par with rounds of 292-288-284-285 (1149).
Junior Foley played exceptional golf all weekend to finish in second place, his 10th top 10 performance of his Lion career, the best of a Penn State golfer has ever recorded in a Big Ten Championships. Foley finished all four rounds trailing the leader Eric Chun of Northwestern by just one stroke. Foley posted an even par, four-round total to pull away from the three-deep pack for third place with rounds of 73-70-70-71 (284). His consistent play got him all-championship team honors and a solid shot at the all-conference team, which will be announced next week.
Senior, Chad Bricker (Waynesboro, Pa.) concluded his last Big Ten Championship with some of his best golf. Bricker jumped eight positions to finish at No. 13, carding rounds of 71-79-71-71 (292) to conclude at 8-over par. Bricker's last Big Ten appearance was in his sophomore year where he tied for seventh place. Junior Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa) finished tied for 17, jumping 20 positions on the day. Markovitz came out fired up shooting 71 in his last round, 10 strokes better than his previous, carding rounds of 73-70-81-71 (295). His 11-over par performance was just four strokes back from a top 10 finish.
Freshman Nick Archambault (Q.C., Canada) finished tied for 45th at 21-over par. Archambault carded rounds of 77-77-76-75 (305). Junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) concluded play finishing at 52, 25-over par with rounds of 73-79-79-78 (309).
All-team conference awards will be announced next week. All updated information can be found at www.GoPSUsports.com or WWW.NCAA.com.
At 3 p.m. ET on May 24, the Big Ten Network will have coverage of the Big Ten Men's Golf Championships. For the complete television schedule for the 2009 Big Ten Spring Championships and tournaments please visit www.bigten.org or www.BigTenNetwork.com.