Worcester, MA --- Senior Bob Bruso (Auburn, MA) fired a 73 (+1) and won a playoff with Tim McGovern (Oradell, NJ) of Holy Cross at the par 72 Greenhill Golf Course on Sunday while four of five Worcester State golfers also posted scores under 80 to help tie for team title honors with a composite score of 308.
The Lancers would beat out 13 other squads to equal the Crusaders total for first place honors as a team. Bruso's medalist honor marks the first repeat winner in the eight-year history of the Nichols Bison Invitational as he made par on the second hole to take home golden hardware.
For Worcester Collegiate title bragging rights, Holy Cross took the tie-breaker which went to the fifth scorecard. Nichols came in third place followed by Anna Maria, who placed fourth among local opponents.
Fourth-year Chris Brunelle (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) was only four strokes off the lead as he tied for fifth with a 77 (+5).
Bruso, Andrew Wong (Wailuku, HI) of Holy Cross and senior Dave Urella (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) posted an individual-best of 35 on the front nine before Urella would tie with sophomore Chris Ellis (Charlton, MA) for 13th place with a 79 (+7).
Senior TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA) also fired an 85, with a front nine score of 38, as he shot +13 over par.
Worcester State will play again on Sunday at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational at Allendale Country Club as a warm-up to the NEIGA Championships next week at Captains Golf Course in Brewster, MA.