From University of Rochester Athletics
The University of Rochester golf team finished up the 2013-14
campaign on Friday at the NCAA Division III Championships with a
12th place finish at the Grandover Resort.
Rochester ended with a 4-day team score of 1213, ranking the best
in school history at the national championships. UR scored a
315 on Friday. The team broke the previous best 4-round score
of 1222 set at the 1985 championships when Rochester hosted the
tournament at Monroe Golf Club.
UR ended in 12th this year, its best finish at NCAA's since the
1994 season when the 'Jackets placed in 8th. The 1994 season
was the final season in the UR playing career for current Rochester
head coach Dan Wesley. This was Rochester's first appearance
at the national championships as a team since the 2005 season.
Rochester senior Nick Palladino capped his stellar career with a
tremendous effort during this weeks tournament. He carded a
final day 74 (+2), shooting a 4-day score of 292, good for a sixth
place finish, UR's best result since Stephen Goodridge captured the
individual title at NCAA's in 2006. During Friday's final
round, Palladino recorded four bogeys and two birdies for his
2-over round.
Sophomore Dominick Schumacher ended Friday's round with a score of
77, the only other UR player to break 80 in the final round.
His round featured six bogeys and one birdie, coming on the par-5
18th hole. Overall, Schumacher ended with a four round score
of 305, tying for 40th place with Will Mallia. The
senior capped his Yellowjacket career with a solid effort at
nationals. Mallia struggled a bit Friday, ending with a score
of +10 (82) after breaking 80 in each of the first three rounds
(73-79-73). His first NCAA experience ends with a 4-day score
of 305.
Matt van Niekerk ended Friday's round with an 82, completing his
first season on the River Campus. His four day total was 317,
but his week was a good one as the first year player was named to
the PING All-Region team, 2014 NCAA All-Freshman team and Liberty
League Rookie of the Year.
Sophomore G.W. VanderZwaag was the final UR member in the
lineup. His final round was 83, giving him a four day score
of 324 after solid rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.