April 10, 2010
Columbus, Ohio - After 36 holes of remarkable golf, the Penn State men's golf team sits tied for first among the 11-team field at the 41st annual Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. The Nittany Lions collectively finished at 7-over-par (575) in a dead-heat with the Eagles of Eastern Michigan. The two teams battled between rounds with Penn State 1-up after the first round and Eastern Michigan retaliating in the second round.
"The team was ready from the start today," said head coach Greg Nye. "We maintained excellent focus throughout the day and we were patient to make sure we didn't force anything."
Senior Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.), nationally ranked at 54, headed the field in both rounds carding a 69-68 (137). Foley's exceptional 5-under-par performance was result of continuous success from start to finish sinking six birdies on the day and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole in his second round. Foley floats ahead of the pack with a 1-stroke cushion on Northwestern's David Lipsky (138, -4).
"Kevin played two outstanding rounds of golf today," said Nye. "His eagle on four after a great second shot pushed him out in front to end his second round."
Senior Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) contributed to Penn State's triumph firing a two-round 145 (+3) with a card of 73-72 to tie for 10th. Junior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) concluded at 4-over-par (146) with rounds of 71-75. McDonagh's 4-birdie feat ties him at 16. Not far behind sits freshman Ernesto Marin (Miami, Fla.)with a 6-over-par, 148. Marin tees off tomorrow morning tied at 23. Senior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) shot a 2-round 149 (+7), tying at 29. Howe's 1-stroke improvement between rounds gives him a card of 74-75.
Jason Cohan (Wayne, Pa.) battled against the field as Penn State's individual participant carding rounds of 79-75 (154, +12). Cohan's 4-stroke improvement between rounds bumped him 10 spots on the leaderboard to tie at 47 with the final round remaining.
Tee times are to begin at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning with the Nittany Lions beginning at 9:15 a.m. Live scoring is available at www.golfstat.com.