Men's Golf Favored To Repeat As Conference Champs in 2005

SMITHFIELD, RI - The Bryant University men's golf team, Northeast-10 Conference champions in 2003 and 2004, are favored to win the league championship this fall by the coaches in the conference during the preseason poll.  The Bulldogs, who opened the year at St. Thomas Aquinas over the weekend, received all 12 first-place votes.

The Bulldogs will be counting on the return of seniors Jim O'Connell (Troy, NY) and Brenden Smith (North Attleboro, Mass.) to lead the way this season.  O'Connell placed 89th at last year's NCAA National Championships and turned in one of the best performances of the year at the NCAA Regionals last year, earning co-medalist honors in leading the Bulldogs to its fourth-straight regional title.

Smith was also a key member of last year's regional championship team, opening regional play with a 74 and closing out with a third-round score of 78.  He finished 74th at the NCAA Championships in South Carolina last May.

The Bulldogs will compete at the NE-10 Championships this fall September 24-25 in Syracuse, NY.  Highlighting the fall season will be an appearance in the Adam's Cup in Newport, RI.  Hosted by the University of Rhode Island, the Adams Cup will feature several top teams nationally from all Divisions, including defending NCAA Division II Champion South Carolina-Aiken. The Adams Cup will take place Sept. 26-27 at Newport National.