April 13, 2008

PRINCETON, N.J. - The St. Bonaventure golf team carded its third consecutive round under 300 earning fifth place at the Princeton Invitational on Sunday afternoon at the Springdale Golf Club.

The Bonnies shot a three-round 291-287-297/875 to finish just two shots back of second place and six back of the lead. The team's fifth place finish is its best in the spring.

Despite firing a 301 in today's final round, St. John's (869) held on for the tournament title. Host Princeton and George Mason (873) tied for second place, while George Washington (874) was fourth. Three Atlantic 10 teams occupied places 4-6.

Senior Ryan Swanson was one of three Bonnies to finish with a three-over par 74 on the day. Swanson's 54-hole score of 73-67-74/214 (+1) was good enough to place him in a tie for sixth. The Sherman, N.Y. product finished third amongst the field with 12 birdies on the weekend. Swanson finished four-under on the course's par 5s and even-par on the par 3s.

One of the team's other two 74s came from senior Andy Whalen, who finished in a six-way tie for 11th place. Whalen was one of just four players to play the par 3s at under-par. Whalen's weekend score of 73-70-74/217 was keyed by 37 pars.

Freshman Chris Stoddard wrapped up his weekend in a tie for 21st position with a 69-76-75/220. Stoddard led the field by playing the par 4s at five-under par. Sophomore Nathan Peck fired his second consecutive 74 to finish with a three-round total of 225. Junior Brennan Payne went 76-77-75 for a 228.

St. Bonaventure will hit the links one last time before heading to Florida for the Atlantic 10 Championships. The Brown and White will head to State College, Pa., next weekend for the highly-competitive Penn State Rutherford Intercollegiate. The tournament will begin on Saturday, April 19 at 8 a.m.