FGCU MGolf: FAU Spring Championship Day Two Recap

The FGCU men's golf team shot under par and is tied for sixth after the second round of the FAU Spring Championship, which is being held at the par-72, 6,786-yard Osprey Point Golf Club.

The Eagles shot 1-under-par 287 in Saturday's middle round to land at 1-under 575 (288-287). The Green and Blue are locked in a tie with Houston Baptist (295-280). UCF, by far the top-ranked team in the field at No. 75, went low today to take over first place at 15-under 561 (286-275). Host Florida Atlantic sits second at 11-under 565 (286-279), while overnight leader Bethune-Cookman fell to third at 5-under 571 (282-289).

Southern Illinois (290-284) and UConn (296-278) are tied for fourth at 2-under 574.

"We started strong today and finished poorly, which is a switch in pattern for us," FGCU coach Eric Booker said. "Tomorrow we're hoping to put together a complete round, starting strong and finishing strong. We're not that far out of it but need a solid performance."

Sophomore Cole Castro held the individual lead momentarily on the back-9 and settled into a tie for third at day's end at 5-under 139 (68-71). Senior Andrew Potter did not factor into the team score Saturday but remained in the top 25 at 1-over 145 (70-75).

True freshmen Tate Heintzelman and Chase Bigham, along with sophomore J.T. Barker all turned in even-par rounds of 72. Heintzelman is tied for 32nd at 2-over 146 (74-72), Bigham is locked in a draw for 48th at 4-over 148 (76-72), and Barker improved four spots to sit T-62 at 7-over 151 (79-72).

UCF's Bobby Bai continues to lead at 10-under 134 (67-67), while teammate Kyler Tate is solo second at 7-under 137 (70-67).

The Eagles will begin the final round teeing off on the opening hole bright and early Sunday at 8 a.m.

FAU SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP – Second Round Results
March 29-31, 2019 at Boca Raton, Fla.
(par-72, 6,786-yard Osprey Point Golf Club)

Team Results
1 #75 UCF 286-275=561 (-15)
2 #168 Florida Atlantic 286-279=565 (-11)
3 #177 Bethune-Cookman 282-289=571 (-5)
T4. #133 Southern Illinois 290-284=574 (-2)
#135 UConn 296-278=574 (-2)
T6. #228 Houston Baptist 295-280=575 (-1)
#148 FGCU 288-287=575 (-1)
8 Miami (OH) 292-285=577 (+1)
9 #193 George Mason 292-286=578 (+2)
10 #197 Georgetown 295-287=582 (+6)
T11. #251 Hartford 295-294=589 (+13)
#227 Rhode Island 299-290=589 (+13)
13 #241 Murray State 306-294=600 (+24)
14 #195 Xavier 316-294=610 (+34)

Rankings reflect the latest Golfstat Rankings
Top-5 Individuals
1 Bobby Bai (UCF) 67-67=134 (-10)
2 Kyler Tate (UCF) 70-67=137 (-7)
T3. Cole Castro (FGCU) 68-71=139 (-5)
Sully Zagerman (Florida Atlantic) 69-70=139 (-5)
Nicko Martinez (Houston Baptist) 74-65=139 (-5)
Jake Lane (Bethune-Cookman) 68-71=139 (-5)

FGCU Individuals
T3. Cole Castro 68-71=139 (-5)
T25. Andrew Potter 70-75=145 (+1)
T32. Tate Heintzelman 74-72=146 (+2)
T48. Chase Bigham 76-72=148 (+4)
T62. J.T. Barker 79-72=151 (+7)

Quotes from Other Coaches:
1. #177 Bethune-Cookman 282 (-6)
T2. #168 Florida Atlantic 286 (-2)
#75 UCF 286 (-2)
4. #148 FGCU 288 (E)
5. #133 Southern Illinois 290 (+2)
T6. Miami (OH) 292 (+4)
#193 George Mason 292 (+4)
T8. #228 Houston Baptist 295 (+7)
#251 Hartford 295 (+7)
#197 Georgetown 295 (+7)
11. #135 UConn 296 (+8)
12. #227 Rhode Island 299 (+11)
13. #241 Murray State 306 (+18)
14. #195 Xavier 216 (+28)