GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. – Senior Josh Stauffer earned the 2015 Little Three Championship individual title with a four-over par score of 148 under wet and cold conditions Wednesday at River Oaks Golf Club as the St. Bonaventure golf team finished the tournament in a tie for second.
The Bonnies finished with a team score of 772, tying Niagara two shots behind champion Canisius (770). St. Bonaventure made up nine shots on the Purple Eagles in the second round after struggling through the cold rain of the morning round.
Though the weather conditions may have caused trouble for some of the players, Stauffer continued his recent strong play. The reigning Atlantic 10 Golfer of the Week tied for the overall lead during the morning by shooting a one-over 73 in the opening round along with Niagara's Daniel Weimer. Stauffer carded four birdies during his first round, including on the par-five 17th to work his way to the top of the leaderboard. In the second round, the senior drained five more birdies and finished with a 75 for a 148 total to take the title by two shots over Weimer.
With his individual championship, Stauffer also punched a ticket for himself in the 2016 Porter Cup next summer at Niagara Falls Country Club.
Sophomore Patrick Sheerer gave the Bonnies another top three finish, taking third on the day with a 151. Sheerer improved to a season-best two-over 74 in the afternoon round after finishing with a 77 during the morning.
Fellow sophomore Corey Long worked into a tie for seventh with a 155 for the day after a 79 in the morning and a 76 for the second round. Freshman Matt Abendroth shot 81, 79 and classmate Brent Morgan carded an 81 in round one before finishing with an afternoon 82 to complete the scoring for the Bonnies.
Playing as an individual, senior Patrick Milkovich tied for fifth overall during the morning with his 77 in the first round and came home with an afternoon 79 to end the day in a tie for ninth. Darren Simons recorded a 75 in the afternoon as well, also playing as an individual.
The Brown and White is next in action Oct. 4-5 at the Binghamton Invitational, playing at the Links at Hiawatha Landing.
---
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on Twitter @Go_Bonnies and get golf updates @BonniesGolf. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies.
