Men's Golf Places Second at Rutgers Invitational
Sep 20 | Men's Golf
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - RU men’s golf placed second at the annual Rutgers Invitational, played Friday and Saturday at the par 71, 6,347-yard Rutgers University Golf Course.
After leading through 36 holes, the Scarlet Knights finished with an eight-over-par 860 (285-286-289), to place one stroke behind Wofford College, who shot an 859 to win the 18-team tournament.
“The goal for every tournament is to be in contention going into the final round, so to give ourselves a chance to win,” said fourth-year head coach Rob Shutte. “We were in contention going in, but we lost by a shot to very good team. If we do that for three more tournaments, we’ll probably end up being victorious in at least one of those.”
Rutgers senior Jacob Stockl (Clark, N.J.), the defending tournament champion, had a strong showing for all three rounds, finishing second on the leaderboard with a six-under 207 (66-69-72). Stockl led the 95-player field in birdies (14) and par-five scoring (4.33 strokes per hole, good for eight-under-par). Stockl finished one stroke behind Fairfield’s Steve Burak, who captured individual medalist honors with a 206 (68-66-72).
“He’s matured so much. He looks like a much more complete player,” said Shutte about Stockl. “To me he looked more in the zone and flat-lining with his emotions than I’ve ever seen. He was never up or never down with his emotions, and obviously six-under is quality play.”
RU juniors Jonathan Chang (Valencia, Calif.) and Louis Bodine (Flemington, N.J.) also helped the team deliver a solid performance. Chang finished tied for 11th with a 214 (70-74-70) while Bodine carded a 216 (75-69-72) to finish tied for 14th. Chang and Bodine were both minus two in par four scoring and each had 11 birdies.
Freshman Toks Pedro (Lagos, Nigeria) and sophomore Ryan Rose (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.) rounded out the Scarlet Knights’ scorecard. Pedro had a consistent weekend, shooting rounds of 75, 76 and 75 for a 226, tying him for 46th. Rose shot a 230 (74-74-82) to tie for 65th.
Rutgers also fielded a second team, which finished 17th with a 916 (307-301-308). Freshman Jack Panagos (Hillsborough, N.J.) led its effort with a 221 (77-71-73). Sophomore Chase Wheatley (Corona del Mar, Calif.) tied for 36th by carding a 224 (78-73-73). Freshman Matt Holuta (Indiana, Pa.) recorded a 235 (75-79-81) and finished tied for 79th, and sophomore Michael Howe (Temecula, Calif.) shot a 236 (77-78-81) to tie for 82nd.
The Scarlet Knights return to the links September 28-30 in Madison, Wisc.at the Badger Invitational.
“Last year we were in the same position, leading this tournament, and then we ended up coming in third,” said Shutte. “It fueled us to win the following week at Hartford and then we won again at Lehigh. If we follow the same recipe as last year, we can be in contention and hopefully repeat that same path.”
Players Mentioned
