On a course saturated with over 3 inches of rain and showers throughout the day, Junior Chris Fitzpatrick managed to play an unbelievable day of golf. Fitzpatrick led the Spartans to a first place finish at the Wilmington University Spring Invitational after firing a 3-under par 68.
Starting his round with a bogey, Fitzpatrick managed to battle back with 3 birdies on his front 9 leaving him at 2-under (33). After a solid back nine, Fitzpatrick lipped out his par putt on the 17th hole leaving him tied with the tournament co-leader Dan Ott of Wilmington. The junior hit a solid drive off the par-5 18th tee. He then stepped up and hit a 255 yard 3-iron to 15 feet for eagle. With Ott already in for birdie and 69 posted, Chris was able to answer back, rolling his eagle putt into the back of the hole for a 1 shot victory and stellar round of 68 (3-under).
Sophomore John Casey had a great day as well carding a stellar round of 72 (1-over) leaving him tied for 5th place. Casey played his first 14 holes at 3 over par, getting up and down for par three holes in a row. After hitting two solid shots on the par-5 18th hole Casey was able to make birdie. With a lip-out for birdie on the 1st, Casey birdied the 2nd hole and drained a 12-foot par putt on his final hole for his 72.
Freshman Nick Delango grinded out a round of 75 (4-over) capping it off by a difficult up and down for par on his final hole of the day to finish tied for 11th place. Rounding out the team scoring were senior Sean Campbell and junior Mike Gunderson who both posted rounds of 76 (5-over) good for a 16th place tie.
The Spartans shot a team score of 291 (7-over) good for first place over Wilmington University’s 294. The Spartans are back in action next weekend at their annual St. Thomas Aquinas Spring Invitational at Rum Pointe G.C. in Berlin, MD.