LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time in six years, No. 11 Florida Southern claims the team title to its own tournament (2018) after finishing as runners-up in the last two tournaments. The Moccasins hung on to claim the third team title of the year, withstanding No. 26 Nova Southeastern's charge in the final round.
Florida Southern carded a final round 303 (+15) and finished at 870 (+6) on the par-72 7,151-yard course at Lone Palm Golf Club, holding off the 2023 team champions, No. 26 Nova Southeastern who fired off a 296 (+8) for a final comprised score of 875 (+11). No. 46 Lynn made a fight towards the end as well, closing within seven of the team champions (977) to close out the top three teams of the field of 15.
Michael Hay of Nova Southeastern used a one-under 71 Tuesday to finish as the individual medalist at three-under 213 with rounds of 70, 72, and 71.
Max Barile,
Tyler Mistretta, and
Adam Alvarez paced Florida Southern and finished inside the top-15 of the final standings with Barile leading the way in 10
th place. The Land O' Lakes, Fla. native carded a 77 (+5) over his final 18 holes paired with his first two rounds of 68 and 73 to finish at 218 (+2).
Mistretta, a redshirt sophomore from North Palm Beach, Fla., tied
Adam Alvarez, a redshirt senior from Winter Haven, Fla., for 12
th place at 220 (+4). Mistretta used a 74 (+2) final round while Alvarez slid in the player leaderboard after a final round 82 (+10).
Donte Groppuso, a junior from Kingston, N.Y., and
Colton Swartz, a freshman from Fleming Island, Fla., tied for 22
nd overall out of the 78 players in the field at 223 (+7). Groppuso matched his first round score of 75 (+3) for round three to make up his 54-hole score while Swartz closed his first tournament with a 77 (+5).
Max Watson, a senior from Ashland, Ohio, rounded out the Moccasins in the field, and finished tied for 25
th at 225 (+9) following a final round 75 (+3).
Florida Southern finished second on par 3's with an average of 3.33 and tied for second on par 4's at 4.20, while leading the field on par 5's at 4.57. The Moccasins tallied the most pars over the event with 169 and had the third most eagles (3). Mistretta paced the field in total pars with 38 while Barile was tied for fifth at 36. Alvarez was tied for the lead with two eagles at the event, one in the first round and one in the third round. Mistretta carded the Mocs' third eagle in the second round.
Falling in the top five behind No. 11 Florida Southern, No. 26 Nova Southeastern, and No. 46 Lynn in the team standings were No. 24 Barton (884) and No. 12 Saint Leo (887).
1st - Florida Southern - 870 (+6)
T10 -
Max Barile - 68-73-77 - 218 (+2)
T12 -
Tyler Mistretta - 76-70-74 - 220 (+4)
T12 -
Adam Alvarez - 72-66-82 - 220 (+4)
T22 -
Donte Groppuso - 75-73-75 - 223 (+7)
T22 -
Colton Swartz - 70-76-77 - 223 (+7)
*T25 -
Max Watson - 77-73-75 - 225 (+9)
* - playing as an individual
Florida Southern returns to the links on Feb. 19-20 when the Moccasins travel to Dade City, Fla. to compete in the Saint Leo Invitational at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club hosted by Saint Leo University. The tournament will consist of 54 total holes with 36 on Monday, Feb. 19 with the final 18 on Feb. 20.
