In its second tournament of the young season, the men’s golf team used a strong final day to fight their way to a seventh place finish this past weekend at the Doc Gimmler, an event hosted by conference foe, St. John’s University. Playing the Red Course at the world renowned Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY, the ‘Cats finish placed them right in the middle of the pack in the 14-team field. 

The University was led by sophomore standout Connor Daly, who shot a personal best six under, 64, in the tournament’s opening round to grab the individual lead. 

“It was just one of those rounds that hasn’t come around a whole lot so I just knew from the past that I needed to stay patient, stay in the moment, and continue to stay in that one shot at a time mentality,” Daly said, “It’s always fun to see some putts drop.” 

Daly’s 64 was followed by a round of 73 (+3) from senior Zach Egermayer, 74 (+4), from freshman Matt Barnes, and 75 (+5), from senior Andy Butler, to total 286 (+6), and put Villanova in a tie for sixth going into the afternoon’s second round. Andrew Bowyer’s opening round score of 77 (+7), did not count towards the team’s total. 

In the second round, Daly and the ‘Cats cooled off just a bit, as the team fired a 293 (+13) total to fall back into a tie for seventh. The Wildcats second round score was comprised of a 71 from Barnes, a 72 from Daly, Egermayer’s round of 74, along with a 76 from Butler. 

The third and final round began the next morning, and the team came out firing. Butler led the squad with a one under par, 69, while his fellow senior Egermayer shot an even par 70. Daly followed with a 71, and the team total was rounded out by a round of 72 from the junior, Bowyer. 

After all the dust settled, this final round of 282 (+2), allowed the Wildcats to notch a solo 7th place finish. Florida St. picked up the team victory by going a combined 13 under for the three rounds. 

Daly was the team’s top individual finisher, coming in fifth, while Egermayer came in a tie for 35th, Butler a tie for 43rd, Barnes a tie for 56th and Bowyer 69th. Playing as an individual, Will Byrne also competed in the tournament for the University, and posted scores of 82, 72, 74, to finish in a tie for 70th. The individual champion was sophomore Eoin Leonard of Yale, who shot a total of 199 (-11).  

All in all, it was a good weekend for the tean. 

“I feel like we are starting to build some momentum for the next couple tournaments coming up,” Daly said.

The Wildcats hope Daly’s perception is correct as they take a two week break from competition before heading to Virginia for the Patriot Intercollegiate Sept. 25 and 26.