St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Men's Golf Aces Fall Season
11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Nov. 16, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's men's golf team had an amazing fall season as the squad finished in the top three in all six of the events in which it competed. This extraordinary run was capped off by the announcement of the final Golf World Collegiate Fall Top 25 Poll. For the first time in school history, the Red Storm received votes toward a Top 25 ranking.
The Red Storm's streak of great play was highlighted by a first place finish at the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunner Classic. St. John's shot a 20-under par total for the event to capture the title. St. John's also had two second place finishes which came at both tournaments that the Red Storm hosted. The two second place medals came at the McLaughlin on the Red Course at Bethpage, and the Mission Inn Classic at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., where the Red Storm had taken the lead on the last day, but bad weather forced officials to cancel the final round which cost the team the title. The Red Storm finished the year with nine team rounds of par or better as well as 35 individual rounds at par or better.
"This is a very deep and talented team, and we had a great fall season and look forward to the spring and another shot at The NCAA Golf Championships," said head coach Frank Darby. "Everyone on this squad works hard at improving every day, and are passionate about the game and love to play. It has been a fun and challenging run, and we have not just a team here but a very good program."
Senior co-captain Keegan Bradley had another outstanding fall season, winning the individual title at the Hartford Hawks Invitational at the International Golf Club in Bolton, Mass. Bradley recorded 12 rounds at par or better this fall and has served as a great leader for the team while guiding his fellow golfers to superb individual performances. Sophomore Mike Ballo Jr. shot a 15-under 211 with an astounding 11 birdies in round one, en route to a second place finish at the Roadrunner Invitational and the lowest score recorded for St. John's this fall. Senior co-captain George Zolotas had a solid season, highlighted by a third place finish at the Mission Inn Classic. Junior Kevin Velardo was one of the steadiest members of the team, shooting five rounds at par or better and finishing in the top 15 twice. Sophomore transfer Evan Beirne has been a great addition to the squad, recording two top ten finishes including a top five placement at the Hoya Invitational.
The St. John's men's golf program finishes the fall season ranked 66th in the country in the Golf Week collegiate team poll, while receiving votes in the Golf World Collegiate Top 25 poll. The spring season could be one of the greatest during Darby's thirteen years at the helm of the Red Storm program.
The Red Storm will open its spring schedule during the last week of February as the squad makes a push toward the Top 25. Check www.redstormsports.com for the latest schedule and player updates.
Players Mentioned
