Iona College Claims 2018 MAAC Men’s Golf Championship
Men’s Results
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Iona College takes home the 2018 MAAC Men’s Golf Championship, its fifth in program history. Siena College’s Michael Christifulli collects the McLeod Trophy and 2018 MAAC Most Outstanding Performer honor.
Iona lead the field after round two and never looked back, shooting +31 (895) over the three rounds. The Gaels’ best round came on Saturday, when they finished with a +6 (294) and took a 14-stroke lead into Sunday. Iona recorded the second most birdies during the championship with 38, only Siena recorded more (39) over the three-round championship.
The Saints finished second behind the Gaels despite recording a +6 (294) on Sunday afternoon. Michael Christifulli finished two-over-par on the day as the comeback fell short for the Saints. Christifulli ended the tournament +2 (218) with his lowest round coming on Friday, when he finished the day with a -3 (69).
In third place was Manhattan College, the Jaspers finished at +38 (902) followed by Rider University in fourth place with a +44 (908). Canisius College +46 (910) finished fifth, while Monmouth University +49 (913) finished sixth. Seventh place went to Saint Peter’s University +56 (920), followed by Fairfield University in eighth with a +61 (925). Niagara University rounded out the field with a +89 (953).
The 2018 MAAC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year is Iona’s Sean Burke. Burke led the Gaels to their fifth MAAC Men’s Golf Championship and first since 2002.
The 2018 MAAC Men’s Golf Rookie of the Year went to Iona’s Justin Burkhamer as he finished the weekend +4 (220). The freshman recorded his lowest round score on Saturday, shooting -2 (70) and taking the lead heading into the final day. Burkhamer recorded 11 birdies, which was tied for the most at the championship. He averaged a 4.17 on par fours during the championship, second-best in the field.
The 2018 All-MAAC team is comprised of Canisius’ David Hanes, Iona’s Burkhamer and Paolo Matti. Also, receiving All-MAAC honors are Manhattan’s Connor O’Rourke and Johnny Schob, Rider’s Austin Devereux, Saint Peter’s Jefferey Peters and Mike Winter, and Siena’s Christifulli and Jack Brown.
Iona will recieve their NCAA Region during the NCAA Division 1 Men's golf Selection Show, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. on the Golf Chanel.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 37
th year of competition during the 2017-18 academic year. Current Conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College.