The Bucknell University men’s golf team is in ninth place after completing two rounds at the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational, hosted by West Virginia. The event is being held on the challenging 7,500-yard Mystic Rock Golf Course, with the Bison posting scores of 310 and 297 on Monday. Their total score of +31 places them in the middle of the 14-team field. As of now, only four teams, including Bucknell, have completed their second round due to darkness halting play. The remaining teams are expected to finish their rounds early Tuesday morning, with the final round following shortly after.
Freshman Performance Leads Bucknell’s Charge
The second round of the tournament saw a significant improvement for Bucknell, driven largely by strong performances from freshmen Jack Hartman and Patrick Pritsios. Hartman delivered a stellar round of 1-under-par 71, which included an eagle on the par-5 16th hole and five birdies throughout the round. This helped boost Bucknell’s second-round score to 297, a marked improvement from their first-round performance.
Pritsios was the team’s leader in the first round, carding an even-par 72 with four birdies to offset four bogeys. He followed up with a 76 in the second round, placing him in 13th place individually at +6. Hartman, who shot a 78 in the first round, currently sits in 19th place at +7. These strong performances by Bucknell’s freshmen are a promising sign for the team’s future.
Solid Contributions from Quinn and Rudnick
In addition to Hartman and Pritsios, Bucknell received steady play from Hayden Quinn and Michael Rudnick. Quinn posted rounds of 79 and 73, while Rudnick registered scores of 81 and 77. Their consistent efforts were essential in keeping the Bison competitive against a strong field, contributing to the team’s general score of +31 after two rounds.
As Etruesports highlights, each player’s contribution is critical in team events, especially on a difficult course like Mystic Rock. The Bison’s resilience through these first two rounds shows their preparation and focus, which will be crucial as they aim to improve their position in the final round.
Bucknell University Athletics (image via Getty)West Virginia Holds Strong Lead
As the host team, West Virginia leads the tournament with a score of +2, though they still have a few holes remaining in their second round. The Mountaineers hold an eight-stroke lead over second-place Campbell. Seton Hall (+14), Richmond (+15), and George Mason (+16) round out the top five.
Bucknell, in ninth place with a score of +31, is ahead of teams such as William & Mary (+36), Towson (+44), and Robert Morris (+49). With strong play in the final round, the Bison have the opportunity to move up the leaderboard and challenge higher-ranked teams.
Read also:- Saint John’s Golf Team Holds Fourth Place at Twin Cities Classic
Looking Ahead to the Final Round
As the final round begins after the conclusion of the remaining second-round play, Bucknell will look to continue improving. Freshmen Hartman and Pritsios have proven they can handle the pressure of competition, and with solid support from Quinn and Rudnick, the Bison are well-positioned to finish strong.
Stay tuned to Etruesports for updates on Bucknell’s performance and other key moments from the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational.
For more updates, read about Saint John’s Golf Team Holding Fourth Place at the Twin Cities Classic.
