William Penn Again Second at Own Event
William Penn University Athletics
Moravia–The Statesmen linksters had their best outing of the year–in fact their best outing in several years–, but unfortunately the team was again the bridesmaid and not the bride by taking home runner-up honors at its own Statesmen Spring Classic Saturday and Sunday.
William Penn finished second out of six teams with a final tally of 595 (303-292) at the par-72 Preserve Golf Course.
League foe AIB held on for the team win at 582 (295-287), led by medalist Johnny Schwaller, who blitzed the field with a seven-under 137 (69-68).
The navy and gold’s 292 is the program’s lowest one-day score since joining the NAIA in 2001-2002. Its two-day tally of 595 is the third-best in the past decade as well.
Freshman Shane Goldsmith (Benoni, South Africa, St. Dunstans College) paced the charge as he earned runner-up laurels with a one-under 143 (71-72). His first day tally was a season best.
Adriaan de Villiers (Jr., Akasia, South Africa, Akasia HS) also placed high, taking fifth at 147 (75-72).
Geoff Dammann (Jr., Wyoming, Midland HS) was next by carding a 150 (76-74) to take 11th, while Jordan Krulik (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn., Minnetonka HS) improved ten strokes overnight to tie for 16th at 158 (84-74).
Evan Thomas (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) rounded out the varsity scoring by placing 24th at 162 (81-81).
William Penn had a junior varsity squad at the competition as well. The team, led by a 149 (80-69) from Byron Lindeque (Fr., Boksburg, South Africa, Christian Brothers College), was sixth in the standings at 642 (333-309). Lindeque’s 69 is a season low for any player this season and is the lowest tally since Gavin Miles posted a pair of 69’s in April of 2009.
Next: William Penn takes a week off before traveling to Riverside to compete in the Ashford Spring Invitational on April 6-7. The tournament will be contested at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course, the host site of this year’s MCC Championships.
