First and Second Round Results

ORLANDO, Fla. – After two days at the Golfweek Spring Invitational, the Nova Southeastern University men’s golf team is currently eighth heading into to the final round of play in the 17-team field. The Sharks fired a two-round 591 on the 6,889-yard, par 72 Legacy Course at the Reunion Resort.

Barton College is the tournament team leader heading into the final round. The Bulldogs lead the field by two strokes with a two-round 578 (279-299) thanks to a tournament low round of nine under 279 in the opening round of play. BC’s Dermot McElhennon currently has the tournament lowest round for an individual with a six under 66 shot in the first round.

Sunshine State Conference member Lynn (287-293=580) are two strokes back in second, while Abilene Christian is currently third at 584 (294-290). Indianapolis is fourth with a two-round 584 (298-289), while CSU-Monterey Bay rounds out the top five with a 588 (292-296) two-round score.

The Sharks’ surprise has been freshman Ricardo Celia (Barranquilla, Columbia) who currently leads the NSU starting five with a three-over 147. The rookie fired a one-under par 71 in the opening round of play followed by a 76 in the second round to currently hold in a tie for 21st.

Ben Vertz (Jr., Coral Springs, Fla.) (77-71), and Mitch Farrer (Fr., West Sussex, England) (76-72) are both tied at 27th at one stroke back of Celia with two-round scores of 148. Bobby Bode (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is T32 at 149 (78-71), while Jack Bartlett (Sr., Worthing, England) is T59 at 153 (77-76) to round out the Shark squad.

On a team that is currently tied for 12th out of 17, Coker’s Jake Murphy is the currently individual leader heading into the final round with a seven-under par 137 (68-69).

The final round of the Division II Golfweek Spring Invitational will begin on Tuesday, Mar. 1 at 8 a.m.