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Oct. 3, 2005

Final Stats

OLEAN, N.Y. - It took a playoff to decide the outcome, but St. Bonaventure did not mind the extra work it took to win the 17th Leo Keenan Invitational on Monday at Bartlett Country Club.

Birdies by junior Ben Howe and sophomore Ryan Swanson were the deciding factor as the host Bonnies defeated Drexel University by two shots on the first playoff hole (the 17th at Bartlett C.C.). St. Bonaventure and Drexel both completed the 36 holes of tournament play with a score of 575.

"That was such a great atmosphere for the playoff with all 10 guys going down the 17th hole," Bonnies coach Steve Campbell said. "That is why you play college golf and why it's such a team game. We hit some really solid shots under a lot of pressure."

Drexel made up a seven shot deficit after Sunday's first round to force the playoff, which was the first of its kind in the history of the Keenan Invitational. The Dragons shot 286 (+6) on Monday to St. Bonaventure's 293.

After the thrilling playoff, St. Bonaventure was able to second tournament title this fall - they won the Bucknell Invitational Sept. 16-17 -- and their 11th Keenan victory.

"We felt that we had to back up our win at Bucknell and prove it was not a fluke," Campbell said. "It's become harder and harder for us to win the Keenan since the fields have become increasingly stronger, so this feels great."

Drexel's Keith Snyder followed his opening round 69 with an even par 70 to take medalist honors by three shots over Aaron Ungvarsky of Binghamton.

Howe finished third at 71-72/143 (+3). Howe's 72 was all the more impressive because he was mired at +6 after his opening six holes. But the co-captain rallied with a back-nine 31 that included a stretch of four straight birdies from holes 14-17.

Sophomore Andy Whalen shot 74 Monday after an opening 71 and tied for fourth place at 146. Swanson, freshman Brennan Payne and senior co-captain Josh Anderson all tied for 10th place with totals of 146. Swanson shot 75 on Monday after a first round 71, Payne carded rounds of 69 and 77 and Anderson shot a two-over 72 to follow a first round 74.

In the team standings, Niagara finished in third place at 585 followed by Cornell and Binghamton at 588.

St. Bonaventure and Drexel's 36-hole totals of 575 bettered the previous Keenan Invitational scoring record of 582 set by the Bonnies in their 2001 victory.

The Bonnies have two tournaments remaining this fall starting with the James Madison Invitational Oct. 10-11.