The St. Thomas Aquinas men’s golf team set multiple school records this weekend starting with their 2-day team score of 570 (6-under par). The Spartans set a record first day score of 288 (even par), leaving themselves 5 shots back of Wilmington University, the #1 team in the East Region.
Understanding the difficult task ahead, STAC came out firing and mounted a charge. Freshman Nick Delango played the best golf of his young career carding a spectacular 68 (4-under). After playing his first 8 holes at 1-under par, Delango hit his tee shot into the hazard on the ninth hole and eventually double bogeyed the hole to make the turn at 37(1-over). After a solid drive on the par-5 10th hole, Delango hit a majestic 4 iron to 10 feet and promptly converted his eagle putt, getting him back to 1-under par. The freshman went on to birdie the 11th, 12th and 14th holes getting him to 4-under on his day. Delango ended his tournament with rounds of 75-68 and a career low 2-day score of 143 (1-under) leaving him in a tie for 3rd place for the event.
Junior Chris Fitzpatrick continued his solid play for the spring, firing his third consecutive sub-par round of golf. Fitzpatrick played a steady round of golf, hit 15 of 18 greens with only 1 bogey on his day. With rounds of 69-71, Fitzpatrick finished with a 2 day total of 140 (4-under) earning him medalist honors for his second straight tournament victory and back-to-back titles at the Spartan’s annual event.
Sophomore Mike Gunderson who struggled with his putting all day, managed to grind out an impressive round of 71 (1-under). After hitting 17 out of 18 greens, Gunderson was only able to convert on two of his birdie attempts. Gunderson ended his tournament with rounds of 72-71 and a 2 day score of 143 (1-under) which left him tied with his teammate Nick Delango for 3rd place.
Senior Sean Campbell continued his steady play of late carding two rounds of even par golf (72-72). Playing in his final event at Rum Pointe, Campbell managed to shoot a two day total of 144 (even par), his best finish for this event.
Sophomore John Casey rounded out the team’s scoring with a final round 73 and a two day score of 148 (4-over par), while junior Robert Rivera who played as an individual carded a two day total of 150 (76-74) giving him a top 20 finish.
The Spartans managed to shoot a school record 282 (6-under) team score on day two of the event but came up 1-shot shy of Wilmington university who was able to play the day at 2-under par.
Coach Ferrara had this to say after the 1 shot loss to Wilmington. “Although we are disappointed we couldn’t capture the title, I am extremely proud of this team for making such an impressive come back. We have worked extremely hard this spring to better our games and it has shown. Being a part of breaking a school record is always exciting and I cannot compliment this team enough on their character as players and as people. Hopefully we can take this performance and build on it for the rest of our spring.”
The Spartans are back in action next Monday and Tuesday at Goldey-Beacom’s Spring Invitational in Newark, DE.