April 4, 2009

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- On a day when high winds kept low scores off the board, the Bucknell men's golf team opened with a round of 325 at the Lafayette Invitational at Center Valley Country Club on Saturday. Andrew Cohen (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) and Will Bachman (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley) both shot 78 to lead the Bison.

Brian Poe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) carded an 83 and Brian Bartow (Rye, N.Y./Rye Neck) and Ben Mattingly (Fishers, Ind./Park Tudor) both shot 86 for Bucknell, which is tied for 10th place in a 21-team field.

Delaware and Drexel both shot 306 on Saturday and are tied for the team lead, five shots ahead of Lehigh. Bucknell at 325 is tied with St. Bonaventure, with host Lafayette one shot back.

Every player in the field finished over par in the first round. Delaware's Justin Martinson, Adam Farry of Robert Morris and Nathan Peck of St. Bonaventure are all tied for the individual lead after posting 1-over 73s.

Bucknell won this event a year ago with a big final-round comeback. The Bison will try to do the same when the tournament concludes on Sunday morning.