Golfers' Fine Showing in American U. Invite Vacated by Disqualifications; Prost Finishes Fifth

Fredrickburg, VA, -- Despite the cold temperatures, high winds, and intermittent rain, the Columbia golf team traveled the fairways and greens of The Gauntlet in Fredrickburg, Virginia, with style and skill, completing the two-day American University Invitational with a score of 625, fourth behind Longwood, 609; and Loyola and American, both at 624.

However, it wasn't allowed to happen. Three Columbia golfers, as well as their counterparts from St. Bonaventure and Bucknell, hit from the wrong tee markers on one hole, after the markers had been moved by the tournament director. In a controversial decision, all three were disqualified, and their teams marked "DNF" (Did Not Finish).

The decision spoiled a fine two days of shooting by the Columbia golfers, who flew to Washington, DC, directly from their training site in Phoenix, Arizona. Among those who shot from the correct tee markers — having been moved once, they were put back in their original sites during the tourney — Nick Prost (Vau, Switzerland) shot a 79, after a first-day 75, for a two-day total of 154, and Chris Oosterhuis (McLean, VA) fired 82's both days, for a 164. Nick Prost tied for fifth and Oosterhuis was tied for 24th. Steve Wolfe (Southport, CT) had 87-88-175.