Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Quaker Invitational
Princeton Takes Fourth At Big Five Men's Golf Classic
October 20, 2002 | Men's Golf
Oct. 20, 2002
Philadelphia, Pa. - For the second straight tournament, freshman Jason Gerken was tied for medalist honors and for the second straight week, playoff holes were needed to determine a tournament champion. This time, however, Gerken would not be crowned champ and Princeton placed fourth at the Big Five Golf Classic in Philadelphia, Pa.
With a sudden death playoff format, Gerken and Chad Perman of Pennsylvania, were matched up one-on-one. Both shot a 148 in the 36-hole tournament. Gerken seemed to be in command on the first hole as he had a four-foot putt for birdie and the win. With the miss and a Perman par the two went to settle the match at the 18th hole. Gerken once again had the advantage on the 18th, as his second shot laid just off the fringe, while Perman was 20 yards off the green.
Perman's chip fell just three feet short of the cup and forced Gerken's hand. Gerken's putt then slid to the right and left him a tricky downhill put for par to win the tournament, after Perman tapped in for bogey. Gerken's putt slid left and the two once again headed to the first tee as darkness began to set in. With the honor, Gerken hooked his drive into the first cut of rough before Perman even got a chance to hit. Perman then rifled a drive right down the middle of the fairway, about 150 yards from the hole. Gerken then played first and hit his shot into the short rough just short of the bunker in front of the green. Perman then hit a straight shot that just snuck onto the green, leaving him a 25-foot put for birdie. Gerken then chipped within five feet and had that putt to extend the match after a two-putt par by Perman. Once again the ball leaked left and Perman was crowed the inaugural Big 5 Individual Champion.
Greg Johnson and Chris Connelly tied for 19th overall with two-day totals of 157. Creighton Page and David Huestis tied for 26th overall with scores of 159. Nat Hoopes rounded out the Tiger scoring with a two-round score of 177 and a 45th-place finish.
Lehigh won the tournament with a team total of 612. Penn took second, Temple finished third and Princeton tied St. Joseph's with a 618 to take fourth. Villanova, Drexel and La Salle rounded out the field at Wissahickon Golf Club on Sunday.
Princeton returns to action next weekend when it plays at the Georgetown Invitational.