Lake Placid, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas Men’s Golf team just wrapped up play at the Division I, Autumn Invitational hosted by Columbia University at the beautiful Lake Placid Club, in Lake Placid, NY. The team managed a 5th place finish among the Division I field with a 3-round score of 863 (278-288-297). 

During the first day of play, the team was led by Nolan Skaggs who played a flawless round of 5 under par golf. Skaggs made birdies on holes 1, 13 , 17 and made an eagle on the par 5 5th hole. Behind Skaggs was Donte Groppuso who fired a 2-under par 69 behind 5 birdies and 3 bogeys. Djaia Darrason played a steady round of golf, making 2 birdies and 2 bogeys for an even par 71. Tanner Little had his best round of the year, shooting 72 while Juan Ignacio Vicente carded a 75 in his first action as a Spartan. The team’s score of 278 (-6) was their low round of the season and left the team in 3rd place with 18 more holes scheduled for the day. In their second 18 of the day the course played much more challenging, but the Spartans fought the difficult conditions. Donte Groppuso continued his birdie barrage, making 6 birdies and 5 bogeys for another under par round, shooting 70. Nolan Skaggs battled all day to post a round of 72. Djaia Darrason continued his strong play also shooting a round of 72 while Tanner Little managed to card a 74. Juan Ignacio Vicente struggled in his second round posting a score of 82. The team’s score of 288 (+4) kept them in 3rd place behind the leaders from Sacred Heart and Columbia University.

During the final round of play, the temperatures dropped and the winds picked up out of the north. With temperatures in the high 30’s to start, the team struggled out of the gates. Battling back spasms, Donte Groppuso was able to gut out another solid round of golf, shooting a 1-over par 72. Juan Ignacio Vicente battled back from some early errors to card a round of 74, while Nolan Skaggs also fought for a final round 75. Djaia Darrason played strong golf all day, but struggled in his last few holes to shoot a 76. Rounding out the scoring was Tanner Little who carded a 77. The team’s final round score of 297 left them in 5th place with Columbia University pulling out the 1 shot victory.

Donte Groppuso had his 3rd top 10 finish of the year, finishing 6th with rounds of 69-70-72.

Nolan Skaggs also had a top 10 finish with rounds of 66-72-75.

The boys are back in action on October 10 & 11 at the Post Eagles Invitational at the Watertown Golf Club in Connecticut.