M. Golf | Princeton Invitational | Confidence peaking at just the right time

For the second-straight year, the men's golf team used the Princeton Invitational as its final tuneup before the Ivy League Championship. And for the second-straight year, the host school defeated all of the participating Ancient Eight foes. "If there's such a thing in golf as home-team advantage, then Princeton had it this weekend," Penn junior Michael Blodgett said. The Quakers placed seventh overall at the Springdale Golf Course with a combined score of 883, ten strokes behind second-place Princeton (873). They beat out eighth-place finisher Columbia (887) and eleventh-place finisher Cornell (896). St. John's (869) was the tournament champion for the second year in a row. "We had a lot of good scores," Blodgett said. "But unfortunately we couldn't put all of them together." Although Penn was unable to break away from the middle of the pack in the second round of play yesterday, its performance was a good gauge of what the Galloway Golf Course will bring next weekend. "The four Ivies [at the Princeton Invitational] are all pretty strong," assistant coach Chad Perman said. "It gives us an idea that it should be pretty competitive next weekend. I think we have a good shot." In fact, the Quakers are in a similar situation to last year. The 2007 squad finished the Princeton tournament in a three-way tie for fifth - nine strokes behind the second-place Tigers - only to win the Ivy League one week later. Penn is still experimenting with its ideal lineup. Along with the four consistent starters competing this past weekend - Michael Blodgett, Dean Merrill, Kevin Huntington, and Brett Rendina - sophomore Bryant Williams contributed for the first time in his collegiate career. "He played pretty consistently," said Blodgett. "We took his score today. That's all we need." Blodgett was the top finisher for Penn. He tied for sixth in the tournament with a combined score of 214. Behind him were Merrill (219) in 19th place and Huntington (224) in 32nd. While the Princeton, N.J. course may have slanted the Tigers' way, Blodgett said that, if anything, the Quakers will have the advantage in next week's return to Jersey. He added that in golf "it's all about shooting a couple of good scores on the right day and getting lucky." Perman is also sure his team is in a position to win a championship next weekend. "Nothing is going to be changed in the last week," he said. "Confidence and belief in teammates will put us on top."