The Harvard men's golf team finished second in a seven-team field at the Greater Boston Championships held yesterday at Concord Country Club. With a 36-hole total of 832, the Crimson nipped third-place Northeastern by one stroke, but lagged 11 shots behind Boston College, the winner with an 821 total.

A glimpse of the pre-season potential that Coach Jack Hopkins had hoped would surface earlier sparked Harvard to its best finish of the season.

"Captain Terry Murray has done a fantastic job with this squad," Coach Hopkins said. "It's a young team, and he's given them both leadership and a chance to mature."

Murray, who turned in the fourthlowest score of the day, a 165, was bested by the fantastic 159-stroke play of teammate Robert Kincaid. Kincaid narrowly missed nabbing medalist honors, losing a two-hole playoff to Boston College's Pete Keller.

"Rob has been swinging the club really well, and its good to see him scoring," Murray said.

Freshmen Bill Boone and Dave Miller both added 171s, while Ross Cockrell and Dennis Crowley shared 175s. Mike Foster recovered from a first-round 95 and shot a second-half 82 for a 177.

"Hopefully our momentum will build as the [New England Division I Championships] approach," Coach Hopkins said.

Harvard will compete for a spot in the national tournament at the New England tourney, held Thursday and Friday at Quidnessett Country Club.

THE NOTEBOOK: Harvard's next match will be at Brown with Dartmouth at 1 p.m. tomorrow.