April 13, 2008

Overall Statistics

Princeton, N.J. - The St. John's men's golf team, 17-over, 865 (282, 283, 304) won its second title in as many events at the Princeton Invitational this weekend in New Jersey at the Springdale golf course. Injuries and weather conditions plagued the Red Storm for the entirety of the tournament but the team prevailed on amazing showings from senior Keegan Bradley and sophomore Evan Beirne who tied for the overall lead at the event.

"We played great through a lot of adversity this weekend," said head coach Frank Darby. "After losing Mike [Ballo Jr.] to an injury, having George [Zolotas] return from his injury and difficult weather conditions, we really stepped up. It was great for Evan [Beirne] to win his first ever title as well as have Keegan [Bradley] continue to win."

A day before the tournament began, at warm-ups, sophomore Mike Ballo Jr. injured his arm and was replaced for the event by sophomore Dan Mollicone. Ballo is the team's second leading scorer. Although the team lost a player for the event, the Red Storm did return senior co-captain George Zolotas. Zolotas had not played in a month after a shoulder injury sidelined him.

For the second year in a row the Red Storm took the title at Princeton. The team was paced by Bradley, who finished with a two-under 211 (70, 66, 75), and Beirne who also had a two-under 211 (70, 68, 73). It was Bradley's third title in five events this spring. The win is Beirne's first in his young career.

St. John's heads into the BIG EAST Championship winning its last two events. The event will take place at the Traditions Golf Club in Hebron Kentucky. The three-day event will be held on April 20-23.