Chattanooga, Tenn. — Penn State's men's golf team completed play Thursday at NCAA Nationals, finishing 29th with a +34 (898). Redshirt-junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) shot a 1-under in the Third Round, and finished the week with a team-leading 221 (76-74-71). Penn State's season comes to a close after being highlighted by its second appearance at NCAA Nationals in the past three years.
The top eight teams at Nationals now advance to match play to determine the 2010 NCAA champion.
"These guys could have easily let down today, but to their credit they went out and played our best round of the event," said Penn State head coach Greg Nye. "I was very pleased to watch Kevin (Foley) close his great Penn State career on a high note."
Foley (Somerville, N.J.) played his best round of the tournament in the Third Round, carding an even-par 72. The senior All-Big Ten selection posted a 227 (79-76-72) for the tournament at +11. Freshman Ernie Marin (Miami, Fla.) also posted a 227 (77-72-78) to finish at +11 in his first NCAA appearance.
After leading the team's efforts for two days with a 71 (-1) and a 76 (+4), junior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) slipped slightly during the Third Round, carding an 85 (+13) and ending the tournament with a 232 (+16). Senior Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) finished the Third Round with a 78, concluding NCAA play with a 234 (77-79-78).
Penn State's appearance at NCAA Nationals was the team's second in the past three years and its fourth overall. The Nittany Lions were one of only two Big Ten teams in the 30-team field.