Boyle leads IUP golf team to tournament victory

For the second straight week, Brad Boyle finished first overall out of all participants and the IUP men’s golf team took first overall in the 49th Annual Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational at the Indiana Country Club Sunday and Monday.     

This is the third straight year that IUP has won a tournament that they have hosted and the second consecutive year that Boyle has been a medalist.

On Sunday, Boyle shot an even 71 and followed it up with a one-under 70 on Monday, posting a one-shot victory. The narrow victory came over three golfers who finished a shot behind. California’s (Pa.) Jordan Eck, Clarion’s Ross Pringle and Boyle’s teammate, Sean Sweithelm, were the runner-ups.

In the first round Sunday, Boyle finished two shots out of the lead behind Charleston’s Harry Howell, who had a first round, two-under 69. On Monday, Howell struggled, shooting a five-over 76 to hand the lead and the tournament over to Boyle.

“I've been playing really well,” Boyle said. “I'm just trying to keep doing what I'm doing right and work a few kinks out here and there to try and improve a little more every day.”

Crimson Hawks Jack Owen and Zack Kempa finished tied for sixth with a three-over 145 for the tournament. Kempa finished the first day two strokes back of the leader Howell. Derek Baker, another successful Crimson Hawk, finished in a tie for 32nd overall with an 11-over 153.

As a team, IUP held a nine-stroke lead after the first round. At the end of the tournament, the Crimson Hawks finished a comfortable 16 strokes ahead of Wayne State, who came in second place with a 589. IUP shot an impressive 573. Three through five was made up of Charleston (592), Clarion (599) and Cal U (600).

This was the last tournament of the regular season for IUP.

“We have regionals coming up here soon,” Boyle said. “Hopefully this good play for not only myself, but the team rolls over into regionals so we can try to get another win there.”

 The Crimson Hawks will compete in the NCAA Super-Regionals at Hershey’s East Golf Course May 7-9. Should they qualify for the NCAA Championships, they will play in Louisville, Ky May 15-19.