Team Results | Individual Results

Hershey, Pa. - Millersville men's golf came oh-so-close to producing a PSAC Championship medalist in back-to-back seasons. Robby Rowe erased a two-shot deficit and closed the championship round in a tie with Gannon's Matt Barto. But Barto's par on the first playoff hole was enough to edge the Marauder junior. The team finished in third place.

Rowe held a first-round lead in 2013 and finished third. In the 2014 edition of the conference championship, he trailed Barto and California's Jordan Eck by two shots after round one. On Sunday, Rowe fired a 1-over-par 71 in cold and windy conditions on the lengthy Hershey Country Club East Course, which stood as the second-lowest score of the final round. Rowe used an epic charge on the back nine to force a playoff. After posting a 3-over-par 38 on the front, Rowe answered with a 2-under-par 34 on the final nine.

The first playoff hole was a replay of the par-4 18th. Barto carded a par while Rowe bogeyed, giving Barto the individual crown with a 5-over-par final score. After what Rowe called "two poor shots," his 25-foot par putt just missed. It was his first bogey since the seventh hole. While disappointed, Rowe was proud of battling into contention without playing his best.

"Mental toughness is finding fuel in an empty tank," said Rowe. "I wasn't playing my best but I found some fuel to give myself a chance to post a good score. I'm more hungry now than ever. But I am pleased I gave myself a chance when I didn't have my A-Game this weekend."

An All-PSAC selection a season ago, Rowe has positioned the Marauders for another run at a third consecutive NCAA Atlantic/East Super Regional appearance. Rowe has finished 11th or better in all five tournaments this season.

"The A-Game hasn't come out this year yet, so I'm going to work my tail off this off-season to give myself a chance to bring it out this spring," said Rowe.

As a team, the Marauders entered the final round in third place, and despite improving their team score by one shot, they finished where they started. Millersville's 307 was the third-best round of the day, but West Chester and Indiana (Pa.) roared from behind and captured first and second place respectively. West Chester posted four scores of 75 or lower led by Eric Slawter's even-par 71. The 294 was the best team score of the tournament. IUP carded a 296, placing it three shots behind the champion Golden Rams.

Millersville finished with a two-round total of 615, which was 11 shots out of first place. Freshman Bret Howey started the day in a tie for fourth and finished in a tie for 10th after shooting a 78. The rookie, playing in the final group of the day, made a clutch chip-in on his 18th hole, which pushed the Marauders one shot past Mercyhurst and into a tie with California for third. Rodney Anders matched the score a tied for 25th. Freshman Connor Sheehan's final 18 counted toward the team score as he posted a 79. Reigning medalist Conor Gilbert managed a 9-over-par 80 in the final round and tied for 25th.

Rowe's tied-for-first finish makes six golfers to finish in first place under Coach Scott Vandegrift since 1994.