JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida golf team shot an even-par 288 in the final round to finish fourth out of 18 teams at the Rio Pinar Invitational at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando, Fla.
The host school, the University of Central Florida, captured the title on its home course with a 14-under, 850. Charlotte finished second at +5 (869), and the University of North Texas placed third at +9 (873).
“We played our best golf of the tournament today but we dug ourselves too big of a hole,” said UNF head coach Scott Schroeder. “We did a good job of staying positive on poor golf course conditions. We are looking forward to this weekend.”
The top finisher for North Florida was freshman Kevin Phelan who shot 2-under in the final round and tied for eighth, shooting an even-par 216 for the tournament (72-74-70). His final round 70 was the best round by any Osprey during the tournament.
Sophomore Kevin Aylwin finished tied for 19th with a 5-over, 221 (75-72-74), while junior Chris Kennedy and senior J.C. Horne ended tied for 27th at +7, 223. Kennedy shot 71-75-77 and Horne 75-76-72. Sophomore Joe Byun finished tied for 42nd with a 226 (+10, 75-79-72).
Senior Jordan Gibb, competing as an individual, was the highest individual finisher out of six golfers, ending tied for 33rd with an 8-over, 224 (74-78-72).
In addition to North Florida and the host school UCF, the 18-team field included Wichita State, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas-Arlington, Akron, USF, North Texas, Liberty, Florida Atlantic, Miami (Ohio), Charlotte, College of Charleston, Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Toledo and Marquette. UCF won last year’s tournament.
UNF is nationally ranked in both national rankings, sitting 24th in the Golfstat.com index and 23rd in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. Sophomore Sean Dale leads North Florida with a No. 24 national ranking in Golfweek and 25th by Golfstat.com, but is out for this tournament with a sprained ankle.
Next for UNF is the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational on Friday-Sunday, March 19-21, at Forest Heights Country Club at Statesboro, Ga.
Full Final Results