Nov. 15, 2007

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell senior Rahul Desai (Avon, Conn./Kingswood-Oxford) capped a terrific fall season by being named Patriot League Golfer of the Month for October.

Desai played in two events last month, finishing third at the Hofstra Invitational at Bethpage State Park and tied for second at the Don Mershon Classic, hosted by Lehigh. In six fall events, he placed in the top three in five of them and shattered the school's single-season scoring record with an average of 72.9.

Desai shot 72-71 at Bethpage, finishing only three shots off the lead. He helped Bucknell to a second place team finish, again only three shots behind champion Siena.

At Saucon Valley C.C., site of the 2008 Patriot League Championship, the entire Bucknell team struggled in tough weather conditions in the opening round, and Desai limped to a season-high 81. In the second round, however, the Bison completely turned things around, even in the face of similar chilling winds. Desai's 2-under-par 70 was the best score in the field. In fact, the Bison had the best four individual marks and finished the fall season with an outstanding 291, 38 shots better than their first-round score.