ABSECON, NJ – The Rutgers men’s golf team placed second in the inaugural John McDonald Classic golf tournament on Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights shot 624 (300-324), just two strokes behind the winner in the two-day event, held at the Galloway National Golf Club. Iona won the tournament, carding a 622 (305-317).

After holding a first round, five stroke, lead at the conclusion of the tournament’s opening day, RU had to deal with unfavorable conditions that included win and rain on Tuesday.

Sophomore Brian Whitman (Blairstown, NJ) placed second in the event with a two-round score of 150 (73-77) for six-over-par, just one stroke back of the winner, Angus McAllister of Iona. Junior Brent Pittman (Montvale, NJ) finished fourth in the tournament, carding a 153 (71-82). Freshman Michael Kosup (Flemington, NJ) shot a 159 (82-77) to place 11th. Sophomore Jason Bataille (South Plainfield, NJ) finished tied for 24th, carding a 166 (78-88) for the event. Sophomore Erick Morales (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) tied for 43 rd with a two round score of 173 (78-95).

Of the 50 players that teed it up for the final round, only eight managed to score below 80. There were seven rounds of 90 or more and one over the century mark.

The men will wrap up the fall season this Sat.-Sun. Nov. 2-3, at the Liberty Invitational in Savannah, GA.