Men's golf fifth at Ball State tourney

Despite shooting its best round of the season Monday afternoon, men's golf suffered a disappointing defeat, finishing fifth overall Tuesday at Ball State.

As has been the case in many of their previous tournaments, the Tigers started strong but were unable to maintain the advantage. On Monday, Princeton finished a combined three under par at the conclusion of the first day of play at the Earl Yestingmeier Invitational at the Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Ind. This first-day performance was the best start the Tigers have had as a team all year.

Unlike previous tournaments in which Princeton tended to slip during the second 18 holes of a two-round day, the team maintained a high level of intensity. In fact, the Tigers actually improved during the second cycle, making critical birdies to record their best round of the season.

But Princeteon was unable to finish Tuesday's round with the same success as it had the previous day. Dropping two spots in the standings in the final round, the Tigers finished fifth with a three-round 853. Host Ball State came in first place with a three-round 824.

Senior captain Jason Gerken was Princeton's top finisher, finishing in fourth overall, six strokes behind first-place Chris Barron of Austin Peay. Gerken, who had been in the lead at the conclusion of Monday's round, shot rounds of 67, 67 and 72.

Gerken was not the only one who struggled Tuesday after a strong start. Four out of five Tigers had their worst round of the tournament on Tuesday.

?"During the final round, we sprayed the ball, left ourselves long putts and made a few big numbers that sent our scores soaring,?," Gerken said. ". ?And as has been our problem all year long, we finished poorly over the last few holes."

Junior John Sawin was the second best finisher for Princeton with a three-round 214 (73-67-74), which put him in a tie for 21st place overall individually.

Next for the Tigers was freshman Andrew Maliniak, who stepped in to play in place of senior John Locke and posted formidable scores in Monday's rounds. Maliniak finished with a 220 (71-72-77) in a tie for 58th overall. Junior Brent Herlihy rounded out the top five for the Tigers with a 228 (81-74-73).

Princeton has high expectations for the future. With two tournaments left in its fall season, the team cannot afford to dwell on its past results. These final two tournaments are district events, which hold more weight in determining the regional ranking that will affect whether or not the Tigers play in the NCAA tournament come spring.

"Although we didn't finish the way we wanted to in the final round, we put ourselves in contention and had a chance to win," Sawin said. "Hopefully we can carry this momentum into the season's final two tournaments and get at least one victory."

Princeton is looking forward to the Big Five Classic at the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Oct. 15 and 16. After winning in that tournament last year, the Tigers are confident in their ability to perform there and are excited about the opportunity to repeat.

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"We all like the course, and it sets up well for our games. Plus it is our first big district event, and we need to do well there," Gerken said.

In practice this week the team will focus on the short game, in particular wedge shots and putting. Princeton hopes this training will help with the consistency of play that the team has been lacking thus far this season.

"We need to convert more birdies when we have wedges in our hands," Gerken said.

The Tigers look to go into Philadelphia well-rested and prepared for a key win.