Fore! Freshman Bleck Sets New Golf Program Record

Sayville, N.Y. - In only his second collegiate tournament, freshman Christian Bleck (St. James, N.Y./Chaminade) of St Joseph's College, set a new program individual scoring record with a round of 70 at the St. Joseph's Golden Eagle Invitational at the Island Hills Country Club.

Bleck's performance marked the first time in the team history that any St Joseph's player has posted a score under par for a tournament round.

In addition, Bleck won the tournament with a score that broke the former school record (71-even par) set by former captain Peter LaPiana, when he won the Yeshiva Tournament at Woodmere Country Club in 2011.

Bleck was playing in the same group with Farmingdale State's Adam Larkin, the 2011 Skyline Conference Champion.  After 15 holes, Larkin was at three under par and Bleck was at one under par.

The two stroke differential was significant at that stage of an 18 hole competition, especially for such good players, yet Bleck continued to persevere. 

Larkin made a six on hole #16 (a double-bogey) while Bleck continued to make pars.  The match was thus tied after 16 holes of competition and both made par on #17.  This set up an exciting finishing hole in which Bleck hit his drive long and straight while Larkin pulled it left slightly into the tree line. 

Larkin eventually was on the green in three, having an eight-foot putt for par, which he just missed.  Bleck had a four-foot putt for par and made it to win the match-and become the tournament medalist.

St. Joseph's freshman Zac Campanelli (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) shot a 78 for the Eagles, breaking 80 in competition in his second collegiate tournament.

"Our four first year players - Zac Campanelli, Brian Daponte, Robbie Bray, and Christian Bleck - have shown great promise and I couldn't be happier," said head coach George Cangero. 

Farmingdale State came away with the victory for the day with an outstanding team score of 294.  St. Joseph's finished in third place out of eight teams.