Upstate Settles For 2nd Place At Rutgers Invitational
9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 13, 2008
Complete Final Results in PDF Format 
Piscataway, N.J. - The USC Upstate men's golf team carried a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Rutgers Invitational Saturday, but the cushion was not enough as Seton Hall rallied with a 279 total to erase a six-stroke deficit and win the team championship as the Spartans settled for second place in the tournament at the Rutgers University Golf Course.
Upstate looked to repeat as champions of the tournament after claiming the team championship a year ago in the Spartans' first tournament playing on the NCAA Division I level. Upstate shot a 287 Saturday and finished with an even-par 568 to finish one stroke back of Seton Hall in the team standings. The Spartans received three solid scores on the day, but struggled to put a quality fourth score into the team total.
"Baxter (Culler) and Josh (Gallman) continue to shoot scores that put us in position to win," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "With the team having six scores at 70 or better over the 36-hole tournament, I am excited about the season and we will work hard to get rid of the errant shots that hurt us at our fourth score. "
Culler finished the day with a 2-under 69 to finish in a tie for second in the tournament with a 3-under 139 total. He finished two strokes back of individual tournament champion Chris Scialo from Towson, who finished with a 4-under 137 total.
Gallman carded a second straight 70 to finish the tournament at 2-under and in a tie for fourth-place. Freshman Bryan Otis shaved four shots off of his first round total to card a 69 Saturday and finished in a tie for 11th at even par.
"It was exciting watching Bryan put together such a great round today and overall, a great tournament for his first as a Spartan," said Lawton. "I know there is more to come."
Michael Lawrence, who won the individual title in the tournament a year ago and shared the lead heading into the final round Saturday, carded a 79 and finished in a tie for 36th place. Freshman Scott Boston finished with a 158 total to round out the scoring for the Spartans.
Despite not defending the team championship, the Spartans did fight off 22 other teams to finish second in the tournament that featured many of the Northeast's best collegiate teams. Upstate finished one stroke ahead of Binghamton(569), while Bryant (574), Central Connecticut (576), Long Island-Brooklyn (576), Towson (577), Temple(581), Rutgers (587) and Dartmouth (589) rounded out the top-10.
"It's a good way to start the season and we appreciate Rutgers running a first-class event with a solid field," said Lawton. "While the golf course doesn't demand length, it requires precision and solid putting. We saw good and bad in both of those this week and we know what we need to work toward for Sea Trail."
