Smith Finishes 13th to Pace Hawk Golfers at Wildcat Invitational

Matt Smith finished tied for 13th overall as the Hartford men's golf team finished tied for 11th at the Wildcat Invitational. After rain delayed the start of the first round on Sunday, the Hawks and the rest of the 20-team field finished the first round and played the entire second round on Monday.

Smith started the event with a three-over 74 in the first round, following that up with a 75 in the final loop on Monday. The combined 149 left him 10 strokes back of the individual champion, Kevin McLister of Delaware. 

Delaware finished first in the tournament, two strokes ahead of second-place Towson and 31 strokes better than the Hawks.

Smith's round of 74 was the best turned in by Hartford at the Wildcat Invitational. D.J. Lantz put up a 75 of his own in the first round, but followed that up with an 81 in the second to card a 156 overall, good for a tie for 41st place.

Mike DiMeglio improved upon his first-round 81 by firing a 78 in Round Two, leaving him tied for 54th place, three strokes behind Lantz. Patrick Ross was one stroke back, shooting 79-81--160 to earn a 59th place tie. Sean Ko reached the same overall figure, shooting an 83-77--160.