Men's Golf Finishes 2nd at Gator Invitational

Sunday, February 10

Mark Bostick GC (Gainesville, Fla.)

All Day

University of North Florida

SunTrust Gator Invitational (Florida)

Photo by: Todd Drexler

2/10/2013 4:31:00 PM | Men's Golf

Final Results (pdf)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Placing three players in the top five and firing a final round two-under-par score, the No. 35-ranked North Florida men's golf team earned a second-place finish Sunday in the SunTrust Gator Invitational.

The Ospreys, who were making their spring season debut, shot a final round 277 to finish with a three-round total of 847 (+7). The runner-up showing was the program's best finish in 19 appearances at the Gator Invitational.

Carding a final round two-under 68, sophomore MJ Maguire continued his strong play this season collecting his career-best finish, a third place tie with a 54-hole total of 208 (-2). Maguire was joined in red numbers on Sunday by senior teammates Kevin Phelan 67 (-3) and Sean Dale 68 (-2). Phelan and Dale tied for fifth with 209 totals.

Sophomore Joey Petronio finished tied for 51st at 221 and freshman Joe Stepnes tied for 73rd (232) to round out the Osprey lineup. Playing in the event as an individual, redshirt freshman Taylor Hancock earned a tie for 37th at 218.

“This was a nice team finish to open the spring,” said UNF head coach Scott Schroeder. “MJ had his best finish ever and Kevin and Sean played very solid as well for us. It was great to finish ahead of Florida on their home course. We have a few days off before beginning preparation for our home event – John Hayt Collegiate Invitational. For us to continue improving as a team, we need a few guys to step up in the four and five spots in the lineup.”

No. 31 Florida State captured the team title with a three-day 832 (-8) total at the par 70, 6,701-yard Mark Bostick Golf Course. Finishing behind UNF in third place was South Alabama at 850 followed by No. 5 Florida (851), No. 49 UCF (859), No. 13 Arkansas (860), No. 23 Liberty (861), Georgia Southern (861), UAB (862), No. 42 Mississippi State (867), Memphis (868), Lamar (874), Kennesaw State (877) and Jacksonville (880).

North Florida next returns to competition Feb. 24-26 at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational hosted by UNF at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.