AUSTIN –A&M-Commerce closed out the final round of the St. Edward’s Invitational right where it started Tuesday, finishing 17th with a 114-over 978, including a 39-over 327 over the final 18 holes at the Grey Rock Golf Club.
Freshman Kyle Middleton held his lead atop the Lion scorecard, posting a 10-over 82 to lead A&M-Commerce with a 23-over 239, one stroke better than sophomore teammate Patrick Russo‘s 24-over 240. Russo led all Lions over the final 18 holes, shooting a team-low 7-over 79 over the St. Edward’s Invitational final round.
Freshman Cade Grimmmatched his 11-over 83 from round two, tying for third among the Lion competitors with a 35-over 251 along with fellow freshman Brent Reagan. The duo finished nine strokes better than freshman Derek Rucki, who rounded out the A&M-Commerce scorecard with a 42-over 260.
A&M-Commerce faced an uphill battle all afternoon as the Lions were unable to make ground on the teams ahead of them in the standings. The Lions finished 27 shots back of 16th-place Colorado State-Pueblo (87-over 951) and 33 strokes behind a pair of Lone Star Conference rivals in Midwestern State and Cameron (81-over 945).
Nova Southeastern (19-over 883) held onto the top spot, outlasting Barry University (24-over 888) by five strokes to capture the team title. Host St. Edward’s (36-over 900), Abilene Christian (38-over 902) and Chico State (45-over 909) rounded out the top five with Barry’s Daniel Stapff taking home the individual title with an impressive 9-under 207.
A&M-Commerce will have a few weeks to rebound before taking to the links at the Midwestern State Invitational at the Wichita Falls Country Club March 19 and 20. Full results will be posted as they become available at LionAthletics.com.