JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. — The No. 21 La Verne men's golf team shot a three-round score of 916 (312-299-305) to finish 19th amongst top NCAA Division III competition at the annual Jekyll Island Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Oglethorpe, at Pines Lakes Golf course (par-72) on March 17-19.
The tournament, which invites national championshp-caliber field every year, was the deepest it has ever been. This year's field featured 15 of the top 25 teams in the latest Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll and an incredible 24 of the top 60 teams in the Golfstat Relative Ranking.
After a slow first round in which the team had to play two cards with scored above 80, the Leopards improved in the final two rounds.
Alec Spencer, as per usual, was the most consistent. He posted a 2-over 74 in the first round and shot a 75 in each of the final two rounds to finish tied for 35th individually (74-75-75=224).
Jason Brown carded La Verne's lowest one-round score of the tournament, coming in with an even-par 72 in the final round. The sophomore improved every round, shooting a 78 in the first round and a 76 in the second round. He finished tied for 48th with a total score of 226.
Hisham Hussein didn't factor into the scoring in the first round after shooting an 81, but bounced back with a 1-over 73 in the second round and wrapped up the tournament with a 79 in the final round to finish third among the Leopards and tied for 91st overall.
Aaron DiGiamarino completed the scoring lineup with a total score of 234 (80-75-79). Austin Matzaganian finished with a total of 238 (80-78-80).
No. 14 Greenboro won the team championship (294-293-288=875) and Jacob Arnett of No. 7 Oglethorpe took home the individual medalist honor (73-68-71=879).
SCIAC rival and defending national champion No. 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps finished ninth (298-286-308).
The Leopards host the annual West Cup at Sierra La Verne Country Club on March 27-28.