Lions Win Bradford Invitational in Season Debut
BRADFORD, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's golf team got its 2022-23 season off to an impressive start on Saturday afternoon, when the Lions placed first out of seven teams in the Pitt-Bradford Invitational at The Pennhills Club.
Penn State Altoona shot 298 as a team in its first round of the season, finishing eight shots ahead of second place Hobart College. The Lions finished ahead of their Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference peers who competed in the event, placing in front of Pitt-Bradford (third place, 310), Mount Aloysius College (fourth place, 317), Hilbert College (sixth place, 338), and Pitt-Greensburg (seventh place, 354).
All seven of Penn State Altoona's golfers shot under 80 on the day.
"What a great way to kick off our season with a team win," said Penn State Altoona head coach Tom Koehle. "It was a total team effort with all five starters and both individuals shooting in the 70s. Everyone contributed and managed the course well today."
Leading the way for the Lions was freshman Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy), who shot 71 to win the event's individual title, placing first out of 47 golfers in his first collegiate round. His 71 ties for the fourth-lowest score in a round by a Lions player in team history.
"Peter played very steady and nearly mistake-free today," said Koehle. "I'm so proud of him winning his collegiate debut."
Freshman Owen Wise (Lewistown, PA/Mifflin County) shot 74 in his first college round, tying for third place individually. Sophomore Joey Toth (South Park, PA/South Park) matched his career-low with a 76 to tie for seventh place, and freshman Jack DiTrani (Hinsdale, IL/Benet Academy) carded a 77 in his collegiate debut to wrap up 11th place. Sophomore Nathan Graham (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) rounded out Penn State Altoona's starting five by shooting 79 to take 14th place.
Freshman Michael Gloth (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) and sophomore Jacob Carlin (Fayetteville, PA/Chambersburg) each competed as individuals for the Lions, with Gloth shooting 76 in his first college round to tie for seventh place and Carlin joining him with a career-best 76 to tie for seventh.
Penn State Altoona's team score of 298 ties for the fifth-lowest round in program history, matching a score that the Lions shot in the Penn State Behrend Invitational in September 2005.
Next up, Penn State Altoona golf will compete in its first two-day event of the season next week, when the Lions will take part in The Gauntlet on Sunday, September 11 and Monday, September 12. The event, presented by Premier Collegiate Tournaments, will be held at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in Harrisburg.
