Golf gets first taste of victory

This past weekend, the Penn golf team backed up its words with actions. In winning the 16-team Bucknell Invitational by one stroke over Indiana (Pa.), the Quakers ended a life-long drought. With both the team victory and having junior Adam Bradshaw finish as the individual champion, it marked the best ever finish ever for Penn golf -- the Quakers' first taste of victory. After the first day of competition, the Red and Blue found itself three strokes behind IUP. But the Quakers treaded water on Saturday while the Indians sunk, shooting a combined 10 shots worse on Saturday than on Friday. The slip allowed the Quakers to post the 605-606 victory. Leading Penn were tournament medalist Bradshaw, who posted rounds of 74 and 73, sophomore Brian Owens, who tied for third with 75 and 74, and senior captain Justin Cotler, who tied for sixth place with rounds of 76 and 77. The Quakers also received a boost from their two traveling freshmen. Rob Goldfaden's 76 counted towards the team total on Friday, and Rob Hunt's 80 was used on Saturday. The Quakers placed three golfers in the top 10 and, as a team, finished 67 strokes ahead of Susquehenna, the last-place finisher. "With Bucknell being such a short course, Adam and I were able to capitalize on our length," Owens said. "With many golfers hitting their driver with little accuracy, we were able to keep the ball in play by using irons off the tees, giving us many more birdie opportunities." Cornell coach Dick Costello, whose Big Red team has been the Quakers' usual playing partner in the Ivy Championships, noticed the enormous progress made by Penn. "It looks like we won't be playing with you anymore at the Ivy Championships, you're moving up to the big leagues now," Costello said to Quakers coach Francis Vaughn.