The St. Thomas Aquinas Men's golf team finished 2nd in their latest tournament down at the Founder's Club in Southport, N.C. On day 1 the Spartans posted a team score of 613 after rounds of 307 and 306. The team was led by Niklas Koerner who carded stellar rounds of 77 and 72. After struggling with his putter during the first 18, Koerner managed to make a few more birdies on the second 18 to shoot even par.
Right behind Koerner was freshman Kevin Gately who posted rounds of 75 and 80. Gately, who found himself 6-over par through his first 14 holes, managed to rattle off 3 birdies in his last 4 holes to post a team low 75 for the first round. Sophomore Chris Gentle and senior Tommy Linehan both shot 156 for their first 2 rounds. Gentle had a tough finish to his first round and posted a score of 80 after a difficult triple-bogey on #18. He rebounded nicely in his second round to shoot 76. Linehan who was tied with Gatley after his first round score of 75. He carded a second round 81 after a difficult stretch of holes. Rounding out the scoring was Kai Rastetter who had shot rounds of 80 and 78.
In the third and final round, the Spartans improved to shoot a team score of 304. The team was led by Kai Rastetter who fired a round of 73. Chris Gentle put up another solid round of 76 while Kevin Gately bounced back to shoot 77. Senior Tommy Linehan battled back after a few tough holes to card a round of 78 while Niklas Koerner struggled down the stretch to shoot 81. The teams 3-round score of 917 (307-306-304) was good for 2nd place among the 16 team field behind only Adelphi University.
The team is back in action this weekend in Wallace, NC at the UNC Pembroke Campbell Oil Classic against some of the top teams in the country. Ranked 52 in the country, the team is looking to move up with a successful weekend.
Team Results
Brendan Hunter 74-80-74 T-8
Niklas Koerner 77-72-81 T14
Kai Rastetter 80-78-73 T19
Chris Gentle 80-76-76 T23
Kevin Gately 75-80-77 T23
Tommy Linehan 75-81-78 32
Colby Lewis 82-77-78 T36
Anthony Berardo 79-90-82 T65