Oct. 22, 2008

74th NEIGA Championship Results

BREWSTER, Mass. (October 21, 2008) - Sacred Heart senior Matt Belizze (North Salem, NY) carded a birdie on the first playoff hole to take home the individual title at the 74th Annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship Tuesday afternoon. Belizze and the rest of the Pioneers finished second at the event, one stroke behind winner Bryant University.

Four individuals tied for the overall lead with a two-day total of 147. Belizze's birdie delivered the senior his first career title. The others who tied at 147 were teammate Patrick Fillian (Tinton Falls, NJ) who was tied for the lead after Day 1, senior Anthony Gallardo from UMass Lowell and sophomore Alex Daley of Bryant University.

Belizze, who was fourth after day one, turned in a one-under par 71 on Tuesday to jump up the leader board to tie for the lead at the 36-hole event. Fillian shot a 75 on Tuesday and earns another top-five finish sitting tied for second.

Junior Adam Petrasovic (Tecumseh, Ontario) finished tied for 21st overall with a 78 on day two to total 154 (76-78) at the event. Freshman Martin Crane (Danbury, CT) tied for 52nd with a score of 159 (78-81).

The Pioneers led the tournament after the first 18-holes, shooting a 302. SHU remained consistent on Tuesday firing a team score of 303 but were overtaken by the Bulldogs who posted a 291 to move up from fourth and win the event by a stroke.

Teams from 44 colleges and universities across New England gathered Sunday through Tuesday, October 19-21, 2008 for the 74th annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Championship. The event attracted 215 golfers to The Captains Golf Course and its 36-hole layout on Cape Cod. NEIGA was pleased to have Cleveland Golf Company return as the `Presenting Sponsor".

The New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) has been in existence since 1934 and includes 46 member colleges and universities in New England and is considered to be the oldest and largest college golf tournament. It is unique in that Division I, II and III compete together.