DAVIE, Fla. - The Union University men's golf team posted a third place finish at the Nova Southeastern University Shark Invitational. The 3-round event took place at the Grande Oaks Golf Club and featured 16 tams and 91 players. The first day was broken up by a rain delay and the second day featured windy conditions later in the day.
Union placed third in a field that featured several national ranked teams at the NCAA D2 level. The field included four top-25 teams and four receiving votes teams in the Golf Coaches' Preseason Poll. It included No. 1 Barry (Fla.), No. 2 Nova Southeastern (Fla.), No. 20 Saint Leo (Fla.), No. 25 Tampa (Fla.), while Florida Southern, Lynn (Fla.), Shorter (Ga.), and Rollins (Fla.) were all receiving votes.
This third place finish follows a first place finish in the season opening event a few weeks ago at the Montevallo Full Moon BBQ Invitational.
Union climbed from seventh after the first round, to fifth after the second round, and finished in third place. Union shot 295, 283, and 288 for a total of 866 (+14). Union's 283 in the second round was the best of the round. Florida Southern won the event with an 855 (+3) and Saint Leo was second with an 856 (+4). Union finished ahead of Lynn in fourth, Shorter sixth, Palm Beach Atlantic sixth, Barry seventh, Nova Southeastern eighth, Rollins ninth, and Tampa tenth. Besides Union and Shorter, three other GSC schools were in the field including Mississippi College 11th, Valdosta State 12th, and Spring Hill 15th.
Union also put two players in the top-10 including
Gray Campbell and
JJ Zimmer both finishing tied for sixth. Campbell was in a tie for second after the first round after a 69. Campbell also recorded an eagle in the tournament. Zimmer rallied from a slow start 74 in the first round with a second round field best 68. Campbell shot 69, 71, 73 for a total of 213 (E). Zimmer shot 74, 68, 71 for a 213 (E).
Other Union finishers included Daniel Maybe in T34 (79, 71,71-221),
Trace Robinson T38 (75, 74, 73-222), and
Timothy Pinkston T49 (77, 73, 75-225).
Up next for the Union men's golf team is the Matt Dyes Tournament October 23-24 hosted by the University of West Georgia, Union won first place in this event last season.
-UNION-
