The Penn State men's golf team captured its first title of the spring season on Saturday at the 38th Annual Marshall Invitational, but it didn't come as a surprise to head coach Greg Nye.

"We knew there were going to be six or eight good teams at the event," Nye said, "but I knew we could outplay all of them."

The Nittany Lions fired a 3-under-par 585 to capture the weather-shortened two-round tournament by 12 strokes over Ball State and Marquette.

Penn State managed to beat the 16-team field by a large margin despite playing through heavy snow and wind chills in the teens.

Penn State junior Robert Rohanna carded a 5-under-par 137 to win his second collegiate individual title and help the Lions to their second tournament victory of the 2006-07 year. Rohanna won the Georgetown Invitational last October.

"You have to be able to play smart golf when playing in tough conditions," Rohanna said. "Staying smart and being aggressive at the right times is a key."

Penn State freshman Kevin Foley also continued his streak of stellar play by shooting a 4-under-par 138, which was good enough for a tie for second individually.

Nye said that the preparation coming into the tournament led to the team's success.

"We had some intense practices this week," Nye said, "but I was very pleased with our play the entire week. It was excellent."

Penn State junior Harvin Groft shot a 4-over-par 146, placing him in a tie for 14th place, and freshman Jim Markovitz finished at a 6-over-par 148, leaving him in a tie for 34th.

Senior Marco Poccia played individually in the event and finished in a tie for 46th at 7-over-par 149.

Nye, who picked up his 50th career title in 15 seasons at Penn State, said the win was a very significant event for his team, which will look to carry that momentum throughout the rest of the season.

"It is a great confidence boost," Rohanna said. "We can use this win in preparation for next week's tournament and the Big Ten Championships at the end of the season."