LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — The Columbia men's golf team successfully defended its Autumn Invitational title on Sunday with a winning score of 3-under-par 849 (286-280-283). The Lions entered Sunday with a one-shot lead over Dartmouth and outplayed the Big Green by eight shots in the final round.
The tournament victory was Columbia's second in three tries this fall, as well as the 20th of head coach and Director of Golf Rich Mueller's Columbia coaching career.
"One of the things I'm most proud of is that we've now won twice with two different lineups," Mueller said. "Everyone is working hard and being rewarded for it. They are making good choices on the golf course and giving themselves chances. Even for our individuals today – great scores all the way through. It's exciting to watch and it gives me a lot of confidence from my perspective. It doesn't matter what our lineup is – we're going to have a great chance."
Columbia's five team competitors in this weekend's tournament were seniors
Nathan Han and
DJ Francey, junior
William Sung and sophomores
Darren Pang and
George Rubelsky. All five finished in the top 30, led by a runner-up finish from Han. The reigning All-America Honorable Mention was 6-under par (71-65-71—207), carding 16 pars in Sunday's final round. Francey joined him in the top 10, bouncing back from yesterday's second-round 79 with a final-round 3-under-par 68. Francey was 3-over for the tournament (69-78-68—216).
Rubelsky followed up Saturday's career-low round of 70 by completing the tournament with a career-best finish. The sophomore tied for 13th at 5-over (76-70-72—218), which is also a 54-hole personal low in relation to par. 2023 U.S. Amateur qualifier
William Sung tied for 18th (70-74-75—219), with
Darren Pang rounding out the team competitors in 26th (79-71-72—222).
Three additional Lions competed individually. Junior
Wyatt McGovern (+8) earned a top-25 finish and first-year
Hunter Po (+10) tied for 30th. Senior
Alvin Kwak saved his best round of the tournament for Sunday, posting a 1-over 72 to climb to a tie for 37th. Sixty-three players competed overall.
The Lions wrap up the 2023 fall season in two weeks at the Georgetown Intercollegiate (Oct. 15-16).
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