May 7, 2009

As Andrew Cohen embarked on the final nine holes of last week's Patriot League golf championship, the math clicked in his head. Normally, the Bucknell junior avoids thinking about scores. But holding the lead in the biggest tournament of his life made it too hard to ignore.

"I knew where I stood individually the whole round," said Cohen, a Mamaroneck resident. "I knew that if I made one or two birdies coming in, it would be pretty much impossible for somebody to catch me."

The clinching birdie came on the 15th hole when Cohen rolled in a 15-foot putt to sprint away from the 42-player field. His 1-under par 69 in the final round at West Point Golf Course on April 26 gave him a three-day total of 208 to capture the individual title by eight strokes and set a conference-tournament record.

It was the second straight tournament victory for Cohen, who claimed his first career win at the Caves Valley Invitational the week before in Owings Mills, Md.

Cohen's final round at the Patriot League tournament - as well as a ninth-place finish by junior Brian Bartow of Rye - powered Bucknell to the team title and a berth in next week's NCAA championships.

For the complete article by Kevin Devaney Jr. of The Journal (N.Y.) News click here