The men’s golf team kicked off the season this past weekend at the Navy Fall Classic in Annapolis, Md.

The Wildcats earned a tie for fifth place with Siena College in a 16-team field, while the University of Delaware took home the title of the 17th-annual event.

The two-day tournament was held at the 6,528-yard, par 71 U.S. Naval Academy Golf Course.

Through the first 18 holes of play, the ‘Cats found themselves in a 12-way tie for fifth place. As a team, the Wildcats shot 291 – good enough for seven over par on the day.

After the first day, the Wildcats were represented in the individual top 10 by junior Brian Colbert. Colbert played a solid round and shot an even par 71, which placed him 10th overall.

Rounding out the top five for ‘Nova after the first day of play were senior Brendan Kelly (T-23rd), sophomore Michael Kania (T-23rd), sophomore Brian Murphy (T-28th) and freshman Robbie Galbreath (T-43rd).

The second round of play was hindered by rain and sloppy course conditions.

However, the ‘Cats played through the rough weather and managed a fifth place finish overall behind Navy, Georgetown, Towson and eventual winner Delaware, respectively.

Despite the conditions, ‘Nova shot a 300 for the day, resulting in a total score of 591 (23 over par) for the tournament (21 shots behind tournament-winner Delaware).

Colbert led the Wildcats from wire to wire throughout the weekend, shooting a 72 on the final day (143 overall).

Placing second for Villanova and tied for 16th overall was Kania who finished with a 147 for the tournament.

Other team scorers for the ‘Cats were Kelly, Galbreath and Murphy, who shot overall scores of 151, 152 and 153, respectively.

Other notable accomplishments for the Wildcats at the conclusion of the Classic were senior Conor Casey’s tie for 12th and freshman Joe Carlson’s tie for 23rd place overall.

Carlson recorded a team best seven birdies throughout the weekend.

By the end of the tournament, the ‘Cats accrued 18 birdies overall.

After starting their 2010 season on a positive note with their fifth-place performance at the Classic, the Wildcats will take their talents to The McLaughlin Tournament, hosted by St. John’s University in Farmingdale, N.Y. this weekend.