Hawk Golfers Finish 12th in Season Opener

The University of Hartford men’s golf team wrapped up play in its season-opening tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Francis Marion University Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate tournament in Hilton Head, S.C., with a 13th-place finish as a team. The Hawks combined for a 931 (+67) card over the three-round tournament.

The Hawks posted a final-round score of 310, identical to the team’s second-round total and one stroke ahead of its first-round card.

Senior Matt Smith tied for 44th place overall to lead the Hawks. Smith posted his best round, and the lowest round for any individual Hawk, in the final round. Smith shot a two-over par 74 Tuesday to finish the tournament with a three-round score of 233. Ko also finished at 233, carding a final round 78.

Sophomore Patrick Ross finished tied for 52nd, two strokes behind Smith and Ko. Ross closed his tournament with a third-round 79, matching his score from Monday’s first round.

Freshman Wally Gonzalez,who finished the tournament with a three-round score of 236, led the field of 89 golfers with 11 birdies in 54 holes. Classmate Anthony Vecchiarelli rounded out the Hawks’ lineup shooting 239 for the tournament.

The Hawks are off for nearly a month, returning to competition for the Bandon Dunes Championship at the Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Ore., March 16-18.