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Iona University Athletics

Lucas Vanderlip
Stockton Photo Inc.

Men's Golf Garrett Murray / Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

Iona Men's Golf Wins Challengers Cup Over UCD, 13.5-2.5

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University men's golf team continued its recent success against University College Dublin, capturing the Iona-UCD Challengers Cup with a commanding 13.5-2.5 victory this week across three prestigious Westchester County golf courses.

Thanks largely to the continued support of the Peter '68 and Barbara Ripp Endowment for the Challenge Cup, the annual Ryder Cup-style competition returned for its 23rd edition. The event, which dates back to 2003, once again provided both programs with a memorable week of competition, camaraderie, and the opportunity to compete at some of the area's most renowned golf courses.

Iona University Director of Golf Sean Burke said, "This is truly a special week for our program, and we are incredibly grateful to President Dr. Carey, Athletic Director Matt Golvaski, and alumni Peter Ripp and Jim Hynes for their continued support of this competition. Our student-athletes have a unique opportunity to experience what Iona can offer them both on and off the course, while competing in an event that is unlike anything else on our schedule. We are extremely fortunate to have this competition as an annual part of our season."

The Gaels set the tone from the opening day, earning a 3-1 advantage in four-ball competition Tuesday at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Iona picked up two victories while halving two additional matches to take an early lead into the second day.

The Gaels carried that momentum into Wednesday at Siwanoy Country Club, host of the first-ever PGA Championship in 1916. Iona once again posted a 3-1 mark in four-ball action, extending its overall lead to 6-2 heading into the final day.

With the Challenge Cup within reach, the competition moved to famed Winged Foot Golf Club for eight singles matches. The Gaels left little doubt about the outcome, taking seven of the eight matches and halving the final match to complete the 13.5-2.5 triumph.

The victory continues an impressive stretch of success for the Gaels in the Challenge Cup. While UCD held the upper hand during the early years of the competition, Iona earned its first victory on Irish soil in 2017 and has since established a strong run of success. The Gaels have now won six of the last eight editions while halving another.

The Challenge Cup will make its way across the Atlantic next year, as Iona and UCD will renew their rivalry in Dublin, Ireland. With another chapter of this longstanding competition in the books, the Gaels will look to carry their momentum overseas and bring the Challenge Cup home once again.
 
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