The St. Thomas Aquinas golf team was back in action at the 8th annual Peter King Memorial hosted by Dowling College at Long Island National G.C. in Riverhead, NY. In round one, the field was battling extreme conditions with temperatures in the 30's, winds gusting in excess of 35mph and sideways rain at times. Sophomore Tommy Linehan battled the adverse conditions and posted an impressive round of 70.
After making the turn at 3-over par, Linehan turned it on during his back 9 to post a low round of 1-under, 70. Senior Mike Gunderson grinded out a round of 77, while senior Jay Barry posted a round of 83. Rounding out the team scoring were Nick Delango and John Casey who shot 85 respectively. The Spartans round one score of 315, left them in 5th place over night and 17 shots behind UMass-Lowell who posted a stellar round of 298.
Round two brought temperatures in the 40's with winds blowing the teens. The Spartans made an early push, but could not surpass the teams ahead of them. Mike Gunderson fought back to post an even par round of 71. Senior John Casey got back to form and carded a solid round of 75. Tournament leader Tommy Linehan battled all day. After getting back to even through nine holes, Linehan struggled at times on his back nine. After a stretch of double-bogey-double, Linehan managed to save par on 16 and 17 to salvage his round. Linehan's round two-76 gave him a 2-day score of 146 (70-76) and was good enough to earn medalist honors for the event. Rounding out the team scoring were Jay Barry and Nick Delango who both carded rounds of 81.
The Spartans two-day scores of 315-303—618 earned them a 5th place finish out of the 18-team field. The Spartans will play in their final regular season event of the spring on April 15-16 at the Goldey-Beacom Invitational. The Spartans are currently ranked 2nd in the East Region getting set for the NCAA East/Atlantic Regional tournament in Hershey, PA.