Feb. 25, 2014
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andy Seeley
UCFKnights.com
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF senior Greg Eason took medalist honors and the sixth-ranked Knights were runners-up to No. 2 Oklahoma State at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, which wrapped up at Sawgrass Country Club Tuesday afternoon.
Eason was one of just two golfers in the field of 84 to come in under par in all three rounds. He carded a 71 (-1) in the first round and followed it up with the best round of the tournament. His second round score of 65 (-7) was his low score of the season and the best round of the season for a Knight golfer. Eason finished up on Tuesday with a 69 (-3) that was highlighted by an eagle on the Par 5 11th and a birdie on 18 to finish up.
"We had a great strategy and I had the discipline to stick to it," Eason said. "I had been in contention the last few tournaments. I mentally thought well and stuck to the game plan. I'm really pleased."
The individual victory was Eason's first of the season and the fifth of his career. His 7-under, three-round total propelled the Knights to a team score of 855 (-9), which was good enough for second place. Oklahoma State finished at 845 (-19) to take the team title. No. 13 UAB was the only other team to finish under par for the tournament, taking third place at 859 (-5).
"We had another strong team performance this week," head coach Bryce Wallor said. "Our program was led by Greg Eason's individual victory. We also had three players in the Top 10, including Ricardo Gouveia and Federico Zucchetti finishing 10th. I am very happy with the progress our team has made this week."
Senior Ricardo Gouveia and freshman Federico Zucchetti turned in Top 10 finishes for UCF, as well. The duo both came in 1-under, which tied them for 10th place. Gouveia turn in rounds of 73, 71 and 71, while Zucchetti recorded scores of 73, 69 and 73. It was the first time in the lineup for Zucchetti.
Senior Kyle Wilshire finished tied for 33rd at +6, but had a major impact on the team's placement at The Hayt. After going 6-over for the first 10 holes of the day, he played the remainder of the course with a pair of birdies and no bogeys.
"Another key moment this week came from the comeback by Kyle Wilshire," Wallor said. "Kyle played his last eight holes at two-under par to help solidify our second-place finish."
Freshman Ryan Stovash was tied for 66th and came in at +10, playing as an individual.
The Knights will be back in action again March 14-16 at the Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Ga.
Team Leaders
1. Oklahoma State 282-281-282=845 (-19)
2. UCF 287-279-289=855 (-9)
3. UAB 290-280-289=859 (-5)
UCF Golfers
1. Greg Eason 71-65-69=205 (-11)
T10. Ricardo Gouveia 73-71-71=215 (-1)
T10. Federico Zucchetti 73-69-73=215 (-1)
T33. Kyle Wilshire 72-74-76=222 (+6)
T52. Linus Vaisanen 71-78-77=226 (+10)
T66. Ryan Stovash* 82-74-74=230 (+14)
*Playing as an individual