DADE CITY, Fla. – Freshman
Javier Calles gave quite the introduction to the Division II golf world this week at the Saint Leo Invitational, collecting an impressive third-place finish among some of the nation's elite competition in Dade City, Fla. Calles ripped off three consecutive rounds of (-3) 69 to close at nine-under par for the tournament. As a team, Nova Southeastern pieced together three straight under-par rounds of their own, good enough for seventh overall.
INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:
Tournament Finish: 7th of 18 teams
Tournament Champion: Lynn
Location: Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club – South Course | Dade City, Fla.
Par/Yardage: 72/7,153
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Sharks' steady play continued in Tuesday's final round, adding another (-4) 284 effort to Monday's rounds of (-4) 284 and (-3) 285. However, Lynn proved to be on a completely different level, running away with a five-shot victory thanks to a 54-hole score of (-31) 833.
- Host Saint Leo (-26) finished runner-up to the Fighting Knights, while Keiser and Columbus State each earned a share of third at 18-under par. Lee and Barry tied for fifth at 14-under.
- Calles' final round featured an up-and-down start that included three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey through just seven holes. He made the turn with another birdie at the Par-4, 18th, though, which seemed to give him a spark, as he cruised through the last nine with a bogey-free effort of (-2) 34.
- For the week, Calles led the team with 15 combined birdies.
- There was, in fact, another freshman doing some pretty special things as well this week. Joseba Torres blistered the back nine to the tune of a (-4) 32, featuring his second eagle of the tournament - this time coming on the Par-5 13th. The Spaniard would give two shots back on the front side, yet still managed a tie for 21nd at two-under par overall.
- With two birdies on the final three holes, sophomore Mike Hay entered the clubhouse with a final-round score of (+2) 74. His 54-hole total of 70-71-74 earned him a share of 26th.
- Tomas Millet wound up tied for 66th overall following a strong day that included 15 pars ad two birdies.
- Matching Millet stroke for stroke for the week was Jonny Cachon, who ripped off four birdies down the stretch of Tuesday's round to finish on a high note at 8-over par for the week.
STATS OF THE DAY:
- Torres' two eagles matched Palm Beach Atlantic's William Hartford for the tournament-high.
- As a team, NSU shot 26-under on the Par-5's this week, fourth-best among the field.
- Calles' scoring average of 2.67 equaled the lowest scoring mark of any player on the Par-3's.
BEYOND THE SCORECARD:
- Lynn's victory marked its first at the Saint Leo Invitational since the tournament began back in 2014.
- Lynn's 54-hole score of 31-under par snapped the previous record of 28-under par set by Barry back in 2015.
- Agustin Errazuriz of Lynn earned individual medalist honors, tying the tournament's lowest 54-hole individual score at 15-under par, which was also matched by former NSU All-American Juan Jose Guerra back in 2018.
- Tuesday became the fourth time the individual medalist also guided their team to the tourney title, the most recent also being Guerra three years ago.
UP NEXT:
The Sharks will hope to build upon their season-opening performance next week at the Palm Beach Intercollegiate, set to be played at The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches from Mar. 1-2. For coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram or Twitter at @NSU_MGolf.
