Donahue Wins Medalist Playoff, Capping Home Victory for Men's Golf

9/16/2024 9:42:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

SHAKER HEIGHTS – With the sun setting on a gorgeous Monday, spectators gathered near the 9th green at Shaker Heights Country Club to witness one of the best spectacles in golf – a playoff.

While the team trophy of the Donald Ross Invitational was firmly in the grip of the Blue Streaks, the medalist trophy was very much up for grabs. For John Carroll, Daniel Donahue took center stage. For Mount Union, Brian Myers looked to win the glory after roaring back, as Donahue held a 4-stroke lead after the first round at Manakiki Golf Course in Willoughby Hills.

Final Results

In a dramatic first playoff, the players remained deadlocked. In the second round of the playoff on the 9th hole, Donahue sank a short putt and earned the victory.

"I was just trying to hit the green and put the pressure on him," said Donahue. "I saw him hit the green, I had a bad lie, and then he gave me a gift [to continue it]. I hit the green on the last playoff hole, and stuck it close. I always try to stay locked in, be it a good shot or a bad shot. You should always stay pretty even."

John Carroll's "A" Team won handily with a team score of 298-300-598. John Carroll's "B" Team also deserves plenty of kudos, impressively finishing in third with a final line of 306-308-614.

While Donahue was of course the headline, with his winning tally of 69-76-145, the Blue Streaks saw a number of great efforts, with four players in the top 10 in a field of 45 golfers.

Austin Malley and London Hoyser are the two Streaks who most closely followed the Pittsburgher. Malley (A team) and Hoyser (B team) tallied identical lines of 74-76-150 to tie for fifth.

Jack Geborg did well on the B squad, tying for ninth by registering a scorecard of 75-77-152. Anthony Krakowiak (B) and Wade Boyle (A) tied for 11th with respective marks of 76-78 and 83-71.

Michael Keefe (74-82-156) , Andrew Schwartz (B, 81-77-158), and Carson Meyer (81-77-158) also finished in the top half of the standings.

Not to be lost in the fracas of the playoff is the fact that most golfers donned red ribbons, in honor of the late Bill Kirkwood, the former men's and women's golf coach at Mount Union. It was truly a great weekend of golf in his honor.

And indeed, it was a fantastic weekend for the Blue Streaks, despite a couple long days on the course. To earn a victory, and have the B team finish so highly, is a wonderful result for the program in the first fall under the new head coach, Jeff Pawlowski '91.

"It's huge as a team, it builds momentum for the rest of the season. Huge win," said Donahue. "We just need to continue to improve the mentality and work on mental golf. I also want to thank my parents for coming out today."

The fun continues next weekend, as the Blue Streaks take part in the NCAA Region V Fall Preview at Manakiki in Willoughby Hills.

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