In the lead after the first day of play, the Bison men’s golf team geared up to face challenging weather conditions on Sunday, March 28. The round was set to start at 9 a.m.; however, due to large amounts of fog, the shotgun start was pushed back to 11 a.m. Throughout the entire round, the team faced not only fog but winds from 15-20 mph, gusting up to 30 mph at times. This didn’t stop the Bison from rounding out their weekend at Rum Pointe and securing a first-place finish with a 12-over par 588, 3 shots over the second-place finisher Youngstown State.

Jackson Bussell ’23 claimed his first collegiate win with a two-day total 1-under par 143, but this win didn’t come without a battle. After shooting an even-par 72 to finish, Bussell quickly realized the battle wasn’t quite over. Justin Burkhamer, Iona’s 2-seed player, fired a 69 to force Bussell into a playoff. After they both parred the first and second hole, Bussell hit his second shot on the third playoff hole to 4-feet and made the birdie putt to win the tournament. “I didn’t expect to win my first collegiate tournament this early in my career,” Bussell said after the round.

Following Bussell were Jack Gardner ’23 (70-77) and Blake Wisdom ’23 (72-75), both with a T-9 finish and a two-day total of 147. Chris Tanabe ’21 had a two-day total of 151 (74-77) and Josh Holtschlag ’23 finished with a two-day total of 162 (80-82) total.

Jason Lohwater ’22 and Dylan Ford ’22 played as individuals. Lohwater had the low-round of day one, shooting a 69. Lohwater then shot an 80 the second round to finish with a two-day total of 149. Ford finished in with a two-day total of 155.

The Bison will travel to Springfield, Pa. this upcoming weekend to compete at the Rolling Green Intercollegiate. Following this tournament is the Wildcat Invitational, hosted by Villanova at Radnor Valley Country Club. The Bison’s last tournament before the Patriot League Championship which will be held May 1-2 at The United States Naval Academy Golf Club.