This weekend's Ivy League Golf Championships were supposed to determine the best team in the conference this year. After a wild finish yesterday, they did anything but.
Columbia edged Penn by a single stroke - the Lions shot 10-over par (291-283-284 - 858) compared to Penn's 11-over (285-286-288 - 859) - to capture its second-straight title at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, N.J. However, with players from Dartmouth and Yale accusing a Columbia player of cheating yesterday, the conclusion of the match was delayed considerably. Though the accusation was deemed too late to take into account, the controversy continued afterward for Penn.
"It was very tough [to lose by one stroke], especially with the way things ended up," Penn coach Scott Allen said, adding that the rules challenge might have allowed Penn to pass Columbia.
"With the controversial ending, we feel like we're the best team in the Ivy League even though we don't have the trophy in the van right now."
Penn's performance down the stretch didn't do much to help its case. After leading through each of the first two days - and through the first nine holes yesterday - the Quakers struggled over the course's front nine (which was played second).
"I wish I could explain exactly what happened," Allen said. "I'm sure there was a little bit of nerves [because] we put a little pressure on ourselves."
With the match slipping away, Brett Rendina nearly willed his team to victory, shooting a final round 67 - lowest among the 40 competitors yesterday and the best round of his career. The senior birdied three times yesterday to pull to even for the tournament. He tied for third individually (212).
"Brett played phenomenally," Allen said. "He knew as a senior and a leader on his team that he needed to step up in the final round, and he did everything he could."
Meanwhile, the Quakers freshmen duo of Scotty Williams and Dillon Hakes shined in the tournament. Williams (213) led the team until yesterday, finishing fifth individually after hitting the bunker on the final two holes. Hakes (218) tied for 14th, also bogeying the last two holes.
Even with the problems down the stretch, Allen thinks the program has a bright future.
"Every time we're in the hunt in any [future] tournament . they'll have these experiences to fall back on," he said.
