From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's golf team concluded play at the NYU Spring Invitational on Sunday, April 10, at the Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, NJ, with a sixth-place finish.
The Violets totaled 634 strokes this weekend after its 313-point effort on Sunday. They leap-frogged over seventh-place Stevens Institute of Technology (635), ninth-place Middlebury College (639) and 10th-place St Lawrence University (641), all of whom scored lower than the Violets on Saturday. Skidmore College wrapped up its two rounds with the low score of 603 to claim first place.
"It was a better day. We played very well," expressed Head Coach Todd Kolean. "Everyone on the team had a few big numbers on a couple of holes. If we can get rid of those troubling numbers, we would have probably been 10 shots better over the two days. We still managed to take advantage of the nicer day and improve our scores."
Freshman Derrek Drozdyk shot NYU's lowest score of the day and tournament with a 75 in round two and a 156 overall. He tied for 17th overall. Classmate Qizhi Wong found himself in a four-way tie for 21st after shooting 79 on the day and 157 overall for the tournament.
"Derrek is such a steady player," said Kolean. "From him, I just want boring golf: 18 holes gets you a 71. He had a boring -- meaning productive -- day today. Just a couple of bogeys. He is just so solid.
"It was a great tournament for Qizhi," Kolean continued. "He struggled a little bit coming in, and on today's second hole. To do that on the second and still keep your head to come in where he did is outstanding. He has such a solid swing."
Skidmore's Tim Manwaring remained atop the leader board with a total score of 143 after shooting 74 on Sunday to help his team take first place.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- NYU junior Eric Tarakjian tied for 28th by shooting 81 on the day and 160 over the weekend.
- In a four-way tie for 40th, junior Matthew Love moved up the leader board by shooting an 80 on Sunday and 163 overall.
- Senior Julius Oppenheimer (82) and freshman Lucas Oberholtzer (79) were a shot apart from each other overall, as they scored 164 and 165, respectively.
"We are coming into our own," Kolean stated. "It's supposed to be nicer weather up there (Saratoga Springs, NY) next week and we play better in nicer conditions. The players have gotten a few tournaments underneath them, especially the first-year players. I am optimistic about next week."