Hopewell Township, Pa. / The Club at Shadow Lakes—The Robert Morris University men's golf team did not play the part of
the gracious host at its Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport Colonial Classic,
taking the team and individual title Tuesday afternoon at the Club at Shadow
Lakes in Hopewell Township. For Robert Morris, it marks the team's third
tournament victory in the last two seasons. Senior C.G. Mercatoris (Brookville,
Pa. / Brookville) took medalist honors for the second time in three tournaments
this season.
The Colonials led the field with 29 bridies, seven more than
the next closest team to recover from a three-stroke first round deficit to win
the event by seven strokes overall. RMU shot a team total 598 following a
second round 294 total. Clarion was second at 605 with Mount St. Mary's third
(633), Toronto (634), Laval (642), Robert Morris “Blue” (653) and
Maryland-Eastern Shore (681).
Mercatoris has finished in the top-10 of 11 the last 12
tournaments and has won two of three tournaments this season. The senior won
the Colonial Classic by three strokes, following up his two-under par round
with a one-under 71 to put together a three-under par 141 total. He led the
field in par-four scoring (3.85) and was tied for the field lead in birdies
(7). His 25 pars were second among all players.
Three other RMU players top-10 showings as well. Sophomore
Brandon Pompeani (Aliquippa, Pa. / Hopewell) tied teammate Donny Lewis
(Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) for ninth place. Pompeani posted a second
round 75 to go along with a 79 for his 154 total. Lewis found eight strokes
from an opening round 81 to fire one-over par 73 in the second round.
Sophomore Max Cahn (Nyack, N.Y. / Nyack), who was playing on
the RMU “Blue” squad, tied for fifth with two rounds of 76 that put at
eight-over par 152 for the tournament.
Freshman Sam Midgal (Ballwin, Mo. / Desmet Jesuit) had the
highlight shot of the round, holing out his third shot on the par-five 15thth,
shooting a second round 75 and post a 155 final score. Sophomore
hole from 110 yards for the event's only eagle. He went on to finish 11Brock Pompeani
(Aliquippa, Pa. / Hopewell) finished 13th, following a 75 with an 81
for a 156.
Senior Shawn Courson (Parker, Pa. / Allegheny-Clarion
Valley) tied for 24th (81-83=164). Robbie Holdcroft (Pennsylvania
Furnace, Pa. / State College) was 30th (84-83=167) and Jim Davis
(Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) was 33rd (85-85=170).
