Knights Take Runner-Up Honors in Connecticut

Sept. 23, 2014

Linus Vaisanen

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Andy Seeley
UCFKnights.com

SOUTH KENT, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF men's golf team took a runner-up finish at the Hartford Hawks Invitational at Bull's Bridge Golf Club Tuesday.

The Knights entered the third and final round trailing the host school by three strokes. UCF made up a little ground on Tuesday, but not enough as Hartford held on the for the two-stroke victory in the 19-team event.

In its second outing of the season, UCF was buoyed by the return of senior Linus Vaisanen to the lineup. Vaisanen was playing in the World Amateur Team Championship overseas when the Knights opened the 2014-15 campaign at the Northern Intercollegiate two weeks ago.

At the Hartford Hawks Invitational, Vaisanen fired rounds of 73, 71 and 69 to tally a three-day total of 213 (-3) and finish in third place. His performance Tuesday -- carding a 3-under 69 -- was the best of the third round.

Senior Jose Joia, sophomore Federico Zucchetti and sophomore Ryan Stovash each narrowly missed Top 10 finishes for the Knights. All three were 7-over for the tournament and finished in a tie for 11th place. Joia sandwiched a pair of 75's around a second-round 73 for his three-round total of 223. Zucchetti entered the third round tied for sixth, but struggled to a 77 Tuesday. Stovash improved in each round, carding a 76 and 74 in Monday's first and second rounds, before coming back with a 73 on Tuesday.

Thadd Obecny rounded out the UCF lineup. He was even par with a first-round 72, before tallying a 78 and 75 to finish 9-over and tied for 24th.

The Knights will have a quick turnaround in between events. UCF takes part in the Graeme McDowell Shoal Creek Invitational this coming Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 29-30).