Liberty League Championship Results
The New York University men's golf team will be returning to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament for the first time since 2006. The Violets earned the bid by winning the Liberty League title on Sunday, April 29, at the Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville, NY.
NYU entered the third and final round two strokes behind first-place Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (613-615). However, Head Coach
Brad Johnson's squad ignored the unseasonable elements and shot 308 to the Engineers' 318 to overcome the deficit and capture NYU's first-ever Liberty League title and its NCAA automatic bid.
Overall, seven teams competed. RPI finished in second, eight strokes behind NYU while the University of Rochester (937) rounded out the top three. St. Lawrence was fourth with 970 and followed by Skidmore (979), Clarkson (997) and Hobart (1068).
"Under tough conditions we showed that we are a tough team," Johnson said. "We persevered and were able to pull out the win."
Leading the charge was freshman Patrick McNary, who shot a round-low par-72 over the 6,774-yard course. He shot two-under on the back nine.
"To post that score in these conditions was phenomenal," Johnson said. "It was an unbelievable round of golf."
Rochester's Jason Paek earned medalist honors, totaling 219 through three rounds of play (72-74-73). RPI's Ryan Quinn was the runner-up with a score of 223 (72-76-75). McNary was NYU's low finisher, taking third place overall in the 35-player competition. He completed the three rounds with a total score of 229 (78-79-72).
McNary was supported by three teammates who finished among the top six. Sophomore Matt Shen tied for fourth place after shooting 230 (80-74-76). Junior captain Luke Oberholtzer (232, 76-74-82) and freshman Robbie Keyes (232, 78-76-78) tied for sixth place.
NYU's other participant, sophomore Kelly Sun, finished in 19th place (248, 83-82-83).
"We showed over three rounds that we were the best team," Johnson concluded.
The Violets now move on to the NCAA Division III Championship, which will be held May 15-18 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC. .