News

Men's golf wins A-10, heads to NCAA Tournament

Team stages dramatic 8-stroke comeback to win conference for second time in last three years

05/05/03

For the second time in three years and the third time overall, the Xavier men’s golf team has won the Atlantic 10 Championship. The Musketeers shot a 4-over 288 during Sunday’s final round to erase an eight-stroke deficit and win the tournament by seven shots over second place Saint Joseph’s University. Xavier shot a three-round total of 895 on the NCR Country Club course in Dayton, Ohio. The Hawks placed second with a 902. Freshman Andy Pope led the Musketeers as he was the runner-up, falling one stroke off the lead with a three-round total of 216. He opened the tournament with a 1-under 70, then shot a pair of 1-over 73s. Miles Maillet helped Xavier’s big final day turnaround with a 1-under 70 on Sunday. He finished in 12th place with a score of 227. Neal Grusczynski improved by 10 strokes from Saturday to Sunday, to card a 71 in the final round in place 16th overall with a 230. Bryon Harger tied for 20th with a 232 for the Musketeers, and Tim Smith shot a 74 on Sunday to round out the Xavier scoring. Smith did not place overall after he and his threesome were disqualified from Friday’s round for finishing a hole after the weather siren sounded. After shooting a 299 in the first round and being tied for the overall lead, the Musketeers struggled on Saturday and were in third after the second round. XU’s two-round total of 607 put them eight strokes behind Saint Joseph’s. On Sunday, Xavier shot a 288, the low round of the tournament by seven strokes to take control. With the conference championship, the Musketeers will be invited to their second NCAA Tournament.