Bucknell Wins Second Successive Patriot League Golf Title

Center Valley, Pa. (April 22, 2007) - Bucknell's men golf team captured its second consecutive Patriot League Men's Golf Championship Sunday at the Bucknell Golf Course in Lewisburg, Pa. The Bison edged Navy and Army by two and five strokes, respectively to claim team honors.

Meanwhile, junior Matt Czarnecki of Holy Cross became the first Crusader to win individual honors at a Patriot League Golf Championship. Czarnecki had placed among the top 12 at the past two Patriot League Championships. The senior from Greenwich, Conn. was 12th at last year's Championship following a ninth-place finish in 2005. He posted a final round score of one-over 71 to win the tournament title by one shot over Chris Renninger of Navy. By virtue of his victory, Czarnecki is the Patriot League Golfer of the Year.

Throughout the 54-hole tournament, Czarnecki recorded nine birdies to lead the field. His score of 212 tied for the ninth-lowest score in Patriot League Championship history.

Two-time defending individual champion Charlie Waddell of Bucknell carded the day's best round - two under 68 - to move back up the leaderboard and finish in third place at five over par 215. Waddell graduate this May as a four-time All-Patriot League honoree, finishing sixth, first, first and third in his four Patriot League tournament appearances.

Steve Suarez of Lehigh and Bucknell's Andrew Cohen were tabbed as the Patriot League Co-Rookies of the Year. The two freshmen finished tied for fourth place at 10 over par 210. Meanwhile, Jim Cotner of Bucknell was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year for the two years in a row. He is the first coach in league history to receive the honor three years in a row.

Renninger, Waddell and Nick Beverly of Army are the returning All-Patriot League golfers from a year ago. Beverly has earned All-Patriot League accolades for three consecutive campaigns.

Bucknell now awaits word on which of the three NCAA Regional sites they will play on May 17-19. The NCAA Regional participants will be announced on Monday, May 7. The three regional sites are ASU Karsten Golf Course in Tempe, Ariz., The Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga., and Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Team Scores
1. Bucknell, 291-297-295-883 (+43)
2. Navy, 298-294-294-886 (+46)
3. Army, 293-293-302-888 (+48)
4. Lehigh, 299-296-295-890 (+50)
5. Colgate, 308-303-297-908 (+68)
6T. Lafayette, 299-309-305-913 (+73)
6T. Holy Cross, 304-304-305-913 (+73)

Individual Scores (Par 70)
1. Matt Czarnecki, Holy Cross, 73-68-71-212 (+2)
2. Chris Renninger, Navy, 72-69-72-213 (+3)
3. Charles Waddell, Bucknell, 74-73-68-215 (+5)
4T. Steve Suarez, Lehigh, 75-72-73-220 (+10)
4T. Andrew Cohen, Bucknell, 72-74-74-220 (+10)
6T. Keita Aoki, Bucknell, 73-76-73-222 (+12)
6T. Matt Hanlon, Army, 71-76-75-222 (+12)
6T. Chip Hardie, Navy, 73-75-74-222 (+12)
9T. Pat Beverly, Army, 74-70-79-223 (+13)
10T. Sam Walenz, Army, 75-73-77-225 (+15)
10T. Matt Denison, Lehigh, 77-75-73-225 (+15)

Note: All golfers who finish among the top 10 are named to the All-Patriot League team.

Patriot League Coach of Year: Jim Cotner, Bucknell
Patriot League Co-Rookie of Year: Steve Suarez, Lehigh and Andrew Cohen, Bucknell
Patriot League Player of the Year: Matt Czarnecki, Holy Cross