FGCU Men's Golf: Colin Montgomerie Invitational Day One Recap

The FGCU men's golf team sat atop the leaderboard after Monday's opening round of the Colin Montgomerie Invitational, which is being contested at the par-72, 7,018-yard Cypresswood Golf Club.

The Eagles carded a 1-over-par 289 to narrowly best second-place UTRGV (2-over 290). North Dakota State (3-over 291) sat a stroke back in third place, while the tournament's top-rated team Houston was fourth at 4-over 292. Prairie View A&M slotted into fifth at 6-over 294.

"The weather was a challenge today with all the changes happening at different times throughout the round. We had a one-hour lightning delay that included some misty rain," FGCU coach Eric Booker said. "With that being said, the guys are playing well for the most part and trusting their skills. Andrew (Potter), Chase (Bigham) and Tate (Heintzelman) are right there in contention. Cole (Castro) and Doug (Smith) need to give them some help, but our spirits are high. We are looking forward to tomorrow as we try to bring back a win."

True freshman Tate Heintzelman carded four birdies to just one bogey to land in a second-place tie on the individual leaderboard at 3-under 69. True freshman Chase Bigham also finished with four birdies and sits in a tie for seventh at 1-under 71.

Senior Andrew Potter shot even-par 72 and is tied for 13th, while sophomore Cole Castro is T-40 (5-over 77) and junior Doug Smith is T-60 (7-over 79).

FGCU combined for the most birdies in the opening round with 15. The Green and Blue also led the field in par-3 scoring (+3) and was second in par-5 scoring (-8).

The 16 teams were slated to complete 36 holes Monday, but inclement weather forced play to be halted with all competitors on the back-9 of the second round.

The penultimate round will wrap up Tuesday in the morning session, and the 18-hole final round will follow directly after the conclusion of the second.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE INVITATIONAL – First Round Results
February 25, 2019 at Houston, Texas
(par-72, 7,018-yard Cypresswood Golf Club)

Team Results
1. #163 FGCU 289 (+1)
2. #141 UTRGV 290 (+2)
3. #172 North Dakota State 291 (+3)
4. #103 Houston 292 (+4)
5. #207 Prairie View A&M 294 (+6)
6. California Baptist 295 (+7)
T7. #188 Abilene Christian 299 (+11)
#219 Southeastern Louisiana 299 (+11)
T9. #250 Stetson 305 (+17)
#236 Drake 305 (+17)
11. #226 Houston Baptist 308 (+20)
12. #164 Bradley 309 (+21)
T13. #246 New Orleans 310 (+22)
#267 Weber State 310 (+22)
15. #200 Incarnate Word 311 (+23)
16. #281 North Dakota 319 (+31)

FGCU Individuals
T2. Tate Heintzelman 69 (-3)
T7. Chase Bigham 71 (-1)
T13. Andrew Potter 72 (E)
T40. Cole Castro 77 (+5)
T60. Doug Smith 79 (+7)

Quotes From Other Coaches:
Southeastern Louisiana: "We didn't start real well or finish real well" said SLU head golf coach Jake Narro. "I thought we played pretty well during the middle holes but had to fight through some tough weather conditions again."

"Hopefully we can get it in somehow," said Narro. "At least get the second round in and then see what happens because there are a lot of teams with flights to catch."

New Orleans: "It was a really consistent day for Max.  He's hitting a lot of fairways and greens," said head coach Jeff Lorio.  "He had a lot of opportunities for birdies and he made his fair share."

"Give the guys credit, we didn't start off well but they rallied back and we're 3-under par for the second round.  Hopefully we can go out tomorrow and finish strong and have some momentum going into the third round."