The Penn State men's golf team knew it had one opportunity left in the fall to truly succeed as a team. This thought must have resonated quite a bit with the players, causing them to post their best first two rounds of the season.
With 18 holes remaining to be played today, the Penn State men's golf team is in 3rd place in a field of 12 at the Renaissance Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Nittany Lions are only eight shots back of the current leader Campbell University after shooting two solid first-day rounds of 287 and 271. Their current position puts them in striking distance of the first place slot with one round left to play, a position they have yet to be in all season long.
Just like almost every other tournament this season, the Nittany Lions were led by the play of senior Kevin Foley. Individually, Foley is in seventh place after recording scores of 1-under par 71 and 6-under par 66. The second round 66 was the best 18 holes of the season for Foley, topping his previous best by four strokes.
It was also a career day for freshman Ernie Marin. So far, he is the second best golfer for the Lions after shooting career collegiate bests of 3-under par 69 in both the first and second round. Marin is currently 8th overall at the Renaissance.
Both Marin and Foley have a chance to get to the first spot overall. Foley is only five shots back of first place and Marin is only six. There is a three-way tie for first between junior Matt Moot from Campbell Univerisity, Alex Martin of Indiana and Robert Karlsson of Liberty at 11-under-par. If the two Lions standouts continue their stellar play, they could end up at the top of the leaderboard after the final 18 holes today.
The other three Lion golfers also posted scores good enough to help their team to the third place spot. Junior Tommy McDonagh recorded a two-round total of 143, shooting a 1-under par 71 in the first round and an even-par 72 in the second. In his second collegiate tournament, freshman Matt Porter shot a 4-over 76 and a 4-under 68 to leave him at even par. Senior T.J. Howe rounded out the Penn State lineup with a 11-over par 83 and a 3-under par 68. McDonagh, Porter and Howe are currently tied for 22nd, tied for 28th and tied for 50th, respectively.
The team will conclude the Renaissance Invitational as well as the fall season today.
