Rollins College Invitational First-Day Results
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Eckerd College men's golf team played consistent back-to-back rounds on the links as it wrapped up the first day of play at the Rollins College Invitational on Monday.
The Tritons (297-296--593) are tied for sixth with Flagler College with plenty of time to gain additional ground at the top of the leaderboard, trailing just 10 shots behind the team-leading pace set by Carson-Newman College.
It marked the Tritons' first time playing at the Rio Pinar Country Club since 2003 at the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, but also represented a homecoming for junior
Paul Henderson, who grew up in nearby Longwood.
Henderson finished his day on a strong note in front of friends and family in the gallery, closing with a 73 (+1) in the second round.
Sophomore
Greg Reilly led the way in the first round with Eckerd's low score of a 71 (-1). He was holding a steady top-10 placing before ending the day with a 78 to drop to 27th in the field.
Jeff Evanier (72-73) has his sights set on another top-10 finish with a two-round total of 145 and he currently stands in 11th. Evanier, along with Henderson and
Callum Georgallides, all posted 73's to end their second round.
Luke Bobrowski carded two rounds of 77 to round out the Eckerd scoring.
“It's very encouraging to have your fifth man (Greg) coming with a 71,” EC Head Coach
Bill Buttner said. “It's a very good golf course for us and similar to the St. Petersburg Country Club, a facility where we practice at.”
With the fall season winding down to a close, the Tritons are starting to establish themselves as a clear contender for regional qualifying in the spring campaign.
And with a maximum 10 teams who will qualify for the regional meet in the spring, including a possible six as automatic locks due to national rankings, Eckerd finds itself on the proverbial “bubble” as it battles for one of the four remaining berths.
The Tritons were edged out of the 10th and final spot last season.
“If we make to regionals, that's like our nationals,” Buttner said. “There are so many talented teams in our region.”
The Tritons will complete the third and final round of the tournament tomorrow morning.
