April 12, 2008

PRINCETON, N.J. - The St. Bonaventure golf team enjoyed a solid start to the Princeton Invitational, positioning itself in fourth place after a grueling 36 holes on Saturday.

The Bonnies fired a combined four-man score of seven-over 291 in the opening 18 holes and improved by four strokes in their second round with a 287 for a total score of 578. St. John's leads at 565, while the Brown and White are within six strokes of George Mason (572) in second place.

Senior Ryan Swanson finished the day at two-under par 140 after carding the day's second-best score of the day over the second 18 holes. Swanson followed his 73 with a four-under par 67 and is currently fifth. The Sherman, N.Y. native is second amongst the field with 10 birdies.

Senior Andy Whalen ranks second on the club and in a tie for 11th overall. Whalen also improved on the second 18, with a one-under par 70 after carding a two-over par 73. Freshman Chris Stoddard broke out of his recent slump in a big way in the opening 18 with a two-under par 69. Stoddard's 76 in the second round put him in sole possession of 20th position. Stoddard leads the field in par 4 scoring at four-under par.

Sophomore Nathan Peck and junior Brennan Payne accounted for one round each on the team's score card. Payne contributed in the morning with a 76, while Peck chipped in with a three-over par 74 on the final 18.

St. Bonaventure will look to catch George Mason tomorrow in the final 18 holes of the tournament, starting at 9 a.m.