From NYU Athletics

The New York University men's golf team, competing at the Tim Brown Invitational at the Ballston Spa Country Club in Ballston Spa, NY, finished the two-day tournament on Sunday, April 17, with a fourth-place finish.

With an overall score of 599, the Violets finished only one stroke behind Hamilton College and five behind second-place Clarkson University.

Host Skidmore College won the event with a score of 582.

"I think the team is really beginning to gel the way I knew they would," said Head Coach Todd Kolean. "The men played really well today. It was a very close event, and we would have liked to have caught Clarkson and Hamilton. But I'm happy we moved up a few spots.

"They are getting some good tournament experience under their belts," continued Kolean. "I love seeing this constant progress."

Helping to keep the Violets in the hunt was freshman Derrek Drozdyk. He shot 147 overall and 75 in round two on Sunday to finish in a tie for eighth place.

"Derrek, except for a double bogey, had a great day," Kolean stated. "He has played so solidly over the past two weeks. It's exciting to see." 

Fellow freshman Qizhi Wong moved up the leaderboard by shooting 73 on Sunday, finishing 10th with a score of 148 for the tournament.

Also soaring up the rankings was freshman Lucas Oberholtzer, who shot a par 71. He finished the tournament tied for 14th place with an overall score of 150.

"Luke played one of the best tournaments of his short career," Kolean suggested. "He took great strides today."

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Junior Eric Tarakjian finished his weekend shooting 154 overall to land in a tie for 27th.

- Classmate Matthew Love placed 46th after shooting 164.

- Senior Julius Oppenheimer took 48th as an individual. He shot 165 over the weekend.