Temple University Athletics
Owls And Plisko Edged By A Stroke At SBU Invitational
10.6.08 | Men's Golf
Oct. 6, 2008
OLEAN, NY - Junior Eric Plisko tied for second after falling in a playoff and the Temple golf team was edged by the slimmest of margins on Monday at the Leo Keenan Invitational, hosted by St. Bonaventure at Barlett Country Club. Plisko shot a career-best two-round score of 70-72=144 (+2), but fell in a three-way playoff after the second hole. As a team, the Owls were one stroke short of Atlantic 10 rival Dayton, who cut 23 strokes off its first round score to rally for the win.
Plisko was aiming for Temple's first medalist since Billy Mullen won the Navy Spring Invitational with a two-under 70-70=140 on April 16-17, 2005. His career-best second place finish was still the best by an Owl since current teammate Adam Pifer also finished second at the Poplar Hill Invitational on October 23-24, 2006.
The Sugar Notch, PA native entered the playoff with Dayton's Zach Glassman and Rob Chappell. Plisko was eliminated after a bogey on the second hole, while the two Flyers battled it out for seven holes before Glassman came out victorious.
Temple's runner-up finish is the third under head coach Brian Quinn in his 13 months at the helm. The Cherry and White hadn't posted a runner-up finish or better in a two-round or more tournament since winning the Scotty Duncan Memorial in May 1-2, 2005. The Owls finished with a 298-296=594 (+34), one shot back of Dayton and four ahead of third place St. Bonaventure.
Senior Kevin Busteed continued his impressive play, shooting a 77-73=150 (+10) to tie for 14th, while sophomore Joseph Kim shot a 76-77=153 (+13) to tie for 25th. Sophomore Andrew Mason (80-74=154, t-27) and Pifer (75-80=155, t-32) rounded out the TU scorecard.
Sophomore Sasha Bozic, competing in his first tournament of the fall as an individual, tied for 18th with a 73-78=151 (+11).
Temple will host the Big 5 Championship this weekend at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, PA. Live statistics will be available for the back nine on Sunday. Check back to owlsports.com for the link later in the week.
