Strong Day 1 for Bentley at Season-Opening CCSU Blue Devil Invitational
BLOOMFIELD, Conn. – The Bentley University golf team turned in a solid performance Sunday while opening its 2013 fall season at the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devil Invitational at the Wintonbury Hills Golf Course.
Competing against ten Division I opponents and one Canadian institution, the Falcons finished the day in eighth place among 12 teams, with a score of 306. The tournament concludes with second-round play on Monday.
Bentley, an NCAA Division II regional tournament participant the last three years, was led by sophomores Malcolm Oliver (Damariscotta, Maine/Lincoln Academy) and Jack Zierolf (Fairfield, Conn./ Fairfield Warde HS). Both turned in a five-over 75 and are tied for 20th in a 60-player field.
Oliver was two-under over the final seven holes, including back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th. Zierolf, after four straight bogeys to start the day, was just one over for the final 14 holes.
Bentley's top two were followed by junior Jon Stoddard (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury HS), who'll begin Monday tied for 33rd after a first-round 77.
Bryant University sits atop the team standings with a score of 284 and an 11-stroke lead over a trio of teams: St. Peter's University, Sacred Heart University and Laval University. The Bulldogs were led by Kyle Buschman and Joe Walp, each of whom turned in a two-under 68.
CCSU BLUE DEVIL INVITATIONAL
At Wintonbury Hills GC, Bloomfield, Conn.
Day 1 of 2
Team Scores: 1. Bryant 284, 2. St. Peter's 295, 2. Laval 295, Sacred Heart 295, 5. Hofstra 299, 6. Central Connecticut State 300, 7. St. Francis, Pa. 301, 8. Bentley 306, 9. Iona 307, 9. Manhattan 307, 11. Holy Cross 310, 12. St. Francis, N.Y. 325.
Top Individuals: 1. Kyle Buschman, Bryant, 68; 1. Joe Walp, Bryant, 68; 3. Eric Edmunds, St. Peter's, 70; 4. Peter Ballo, Sacred Heart, 71; 4. Kevin Fawcett, St. Francis, Pa., 71; 4. Justin Richard, Laval, 71; 4. Zach Garbacik, Bryant, 74.
Bentley Individuals: t-20. Malcolm Oliver 75; t-20. Jack Zierolf 75; t-33. Jon Stoddard 77; t-43. Harry Kirkpatrick 79; t-55. Tommy Ayres 83.