Men's Golf Outlasts IUP for Playoff Victory

Monday, October 12

California, PA

Millersville University

California Invitational

Men's Golf Outlasts IUP for Playoff Victory

10/13/2015 6:43:00 PM | Men's Golf

Washington, Pa. - Tuesday's pressure-packed team playoff could not have served as better PSAC Championship tune-up for the Millersville Marauders. Robby Rowe's birdie followed by Rodney Anders' clinching par lifted the Marauders to the Vulcan Invitational team title over Indiana (Pa.).

Millersville entered the second and final round in first place, and while the Marauders posted a 301, IUP came in at 296. Both teams closed a 24-over-par for the tournament, one shot better than host California (Pa.). The Marauders and Crimson Hawks went into a team playoff where Rowe drained a 20-foot putt for birdie and Bret Howey and Anders posted a par. That was enough to clip the Crimson Hawks. It was Millersville's first win since the West Liberty Invitational in March of 2015.

The team was powered by a trio of Marauders that finished in the top four and within a shot of the lead. Rowe tied for first along with IUP Josh Bartley and California's Grant Newton. Rowe and Bartley both went 72-75 to finish at 3-over, and Newton backed up his 74 with a 73. Rowe was edged out in a three-hole playoff that Bartley won when Rowe could not recover from a wayward drive on the third hole. Bartley's par sealed the medalist honor.

The tough luck for Rowe continued as it was the second time in he had came up short in a playoff in less than a year. Rowe now has five career top-three finishes.

Anders' 4-over-par, tied-for-fourth finish was a career-best. He tied with sophomore Connor Sheehan, who had held the first-round lead with Rowe. Sheehan's even-par first round was followed by a 76 on Tuesday, matching his lowest 36-hole total and giving him his first career top-10 finish.

Howey tied for 29th but nicely rallied from Monday's 82 with a 76 in the second round. Freshman Matt Keim did the same, posting a 3-over-par 75 after opening the tournament with an 88. He placed in a tie for 41st. Freshman Axel Hartman competed as an individual and tied for 13th at 9-over-par.

Millersville heads to Hershey Country Club East Course on Oct. 17 for the start of the PSAC Championship. Millersville last won the tournament in 2013.