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

The FGCU men's golf team claimed the tournament championship at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational, which was held at the par-72, 7,018-yard Cypresswood Golf Club.

The tournament was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather, and the Eagles closed out their second round Tuesday with a 1-over-par 289 to land at 2-over 578. They finished two strokes clear of Houston (292-288=580) and North Dakota State (291-298=580), while Prairie View A&M finished fourth at 5-over 581 (294-287) and California Baptist rounded out the top 5 at 6-over 582 (295-287).

"I'm proud of the team and how they handled themselves under pressure in those final nine holes," FGCU coach Eric Booker said. "They knew what needed to be done and they delivered."

FGCU led wire-to-wire for the second tournament title in the Coach Booker era (since 2015). The Green and Blue shot even on the par-4's in the second round to lead the field. That mark was helped greatly by senior Andrew Potter. Potter began his second round Monday afternoon with an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole, and he finished as the only player in the field to make an eagle on a par-4.

Potter shot 1-under 71 in the second round to finish in a tie for fifth at 1-under 143 (72-71). True freshman Tate Heintzelman tied with Potter with rounds of 69 and 74.

True freshman Chase Bigham cracked the top 10 with a ninth-place finish at even par 144 (71-13). Sophomore Cole Castro shot under par in the second round to vault 16 positions to T-24 at 4-over 148 (77-71). Junior Doug Smith finished his tournament in a tie for 72nd at 14-over 158 (79-79).

Stetson's Baylor Payne won the individual title at 3-under 141 (67-74), while Prairie View A&M's Laurence Crea (69-73) and Van Holmgren of North Dakota State (72-70) tied for second at 2-under 142.

The tournament was originally slated for 54 holes but was cut short due to weather. The teams reached the back nine of their respective second rounds Monday before play was halted, and they were only able to complete 36 holes.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE INVITATIONAL – Final Results
February 26, 2019 at Houston, Texas
(par-72, 7,018-yard Cypresswood Golf Club)

Team Results
1. #163 FGCU 289-289=578 (+2)
T2. #103 Houston 292-288=580 (+4)
#172 North Dakota State 291-298=580 (+4)
4. #207 Prairie View A&M 294-287=581 (+5)
5. California Baptist 295-287=582 (+6)
6. #141 UTRGV 290-299=589 (+13)
7. #188 Abilene Christian 299-298=597 (+21)
T8. #164 Bradley 309-296=605 (+29)
#246 New Orleans 310-295=605 (+29)
10. #250 Stetson 305-302=607 (+31)
T11. #226 Houston Baptist 308-300=608 (+32)
#219 Southeastern Louisiana 299-309=608 (+32)
13. #267 Weber State 310-299=609 (+33)
14. #236 Drake 305-308=613 (+37)
15. #200 Incarnate Word 311-304=615 (+39)
16. #281 North Dakota 319-326=645 (+69)

Rankings reflect the latest Golfstat Rankings
Top-5 Individuals
1. Baylor Payne (Stetson) 67-74=141 (-3)
T2. Laurence Crea (Prairie View A&M) 69-73=142 (-2)
Van Holmgren (North Dakota State) 72-70=142 (-2)
Matt Williams (Houston) 70-72=142 (-2)
T5. Tate Heintzelman 69-74=143 (-1)
Andrew Potter 72-71=143 (-1)
Alexander Frances (Houston) 73-70=143 (-1)
Zane Brooks (Prairie View A&M) 71-72=143 (-1)

FGCU Individuals
T5. Tate Heintzelman 69-74=143 (-1)
T5. Andrew Potter 72-71=143 (-1)
T9. Chase Bigham 71-73=144 (E)
T24. Cole Castro 77-71=148 (+4)
T72. Doug Smith 79-79=158 (+14)

Up Next:
The Eagles will trek to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 4-5 for the Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate. The tournament is being hosted by Loyola Maryland and will be contested at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club.