The St. Thomas Aquinas Men’s Golf team got a nice preview of the 2017 Barclay’s course at Glen Oaks Golf Club in Old Westbury, NY on Monday. In a tournament comprised of all Division I programs, the Spartans managed a 15 shot victory in the 27 hole competition. Playing the three-9 hole courses, the Spartans shot a team score of 446 (297 - 149) which was just 14 shots over par.

The team was led by Freshman Mike Frizalone who captured the second title of his young career. Friz got off to a nice start, shooting even par through his first nine holes, but had a few errors and turned in a 3-over par 39 in his second nice. With bogeys on his 20th and 21st holes, Frizalone sat at 5-over par for the tournament. After birdies on his 23rd, 24th and 25th holes, Friz managed to shoot 1-under par on his final 9 holes and finished the event at 110 (75-35) which was just 2 over par and good for a two shot victory over Hofstra’s David Kwon and fellow teammate Kevin Gately.

Gately had a solid day of golf, shooting 112 (74-38) earning him his second runner up finish this fall. Senior Chris Gentle and Sophomore Michael Miranda both finished in a tie for 4th place after carding 5-over par 113 rounds. Gentle posted a 76 in his first 18 and then shot 37 in his final 9, while Miranda shot 74 through 18 and 39 on his last 9. Junior Brendan Hunter had a solid round of 74 in his first 18, but struggled shooting 42 in his final 9.

The team finishes the fall with three tournament victories, 1 runner-up finish and a third place finish. Their team scoring average of 291.85 is number 1 in the east region by 9 shots and 23rd in the nation. They are currently ranked #1 in the NCAA East Region and ranked 45th in the country by Golfstat. Senior Chris Gentle leads the team with a school record 72.44 scoring average which is 2nd in the region.

Kevin Gately is 5th in the region with his 73.22 scoring average while Brendan Hunter and Mike Miranda are ranked 8th with averages of 74.15. Freshman Mike Frizalone has played solid in his first semester, posting a 74.44 scoring average in his 13 rounds of golf.