April 8, 2006

PRINCETON, N.J. - Inclement weather forced the Princeton Invitational to be shortened from 54 holes to just 36, but the rain this weekend did nothing to stop the strong play of the Villanova lineup this spring. Senior captain Jonathan Hewett (Sioux Falls, S.D.) led the way with a 74 and was in sixth place out of 75 golfers, while the Wildcats team score of 306 had the team tied for third among 14 schools in the field.

Hewett and junior Steve Arnold (Langhorne, Pa.) are each in the top 10 individually and Villanova finds itself going into the final 18 holes on Sunday in a familiar position, ahead of the other Big East schools in the field. Arnold carded a 75 and was four-over-par at the 6,380-yard course at the Springdale Golf Club. He is currently tied for seventh in the field.

Senior Colin Mahon (Rhinebeck, N.Y.) is tied for 22nd place after shooting 77, while freshman Andrew Alexander (Rochester, Minn.) recorded a score of 80 and is tied for 80th place. George Mason and tournament host Princeton complete the triumvirate of teams tied for third place. The group is just two strokes behind co-leaders Columbia and Penn, who each had team scores of 304 on Saturday.

Play resumes at 8:15 Sunday morning with the final 18 holes.

NOTES: In its first two tournaments this season (William & Mary Invitational, George Washington Invite), the Wildcats are 6-0 against Big East teams ... In Saturday's opening round at Princeton, Villanova placed ahead of Georgetown (310), St. John's (312) and Rutgers (318) ... Heading into play on Sunday, Hewett and Arnold are leading the team in strove average this spring ... They have averages of 73.25 and 73.75, respectively, through four rounds of play.