GREENVILLE, N.C. – Headlined by three players among the top 10, the UCF men's golf team turned in a strong showing at the Ironwood Collegiate Classic, held this week at the Ironwood Golf and Country Club. The Knights finished fourth as a team with a 560 (-16), finishing under par in both rounds.
The tournament was altered by inclement weather, as Monday’s second round was canceled, and the event was reduced to 36 holes. East Carolina won the team title with a 548 (-28), while Long Island was second (550, -26) and Florida Atlantic was third (552, -24).
UCF was four under in the first round and -12 in the second round.
Sophomore Marc Keller, competing as an individual, carded UCF’s best score at the event to finish fifth with a career-best eight-under-par 136. He closed out the tournament with a 67 (-5), the best of his career, after firing a 69 (-3) in the opening round Monday. Keller had seven birdies in the second round and three in a bogey-free first round.
Junior Lucas Dutartre tied for seventh at seven under, carding a two under in the first round and a five under in the second round. He was the only player in the field with an eagle in both rounds. Dutartre’s approach shot dropped in on hole No. 10 in the second round and No. 7 in the opening round. He tallied seven birdies.
Chase Haygood also finished among the top 10, tying for ninth place with a 138 (-6). He fired a two-under-par in the first round and was four under in the second round. Haygood was one of three Knights to shoot under par in both rounds.
Clemente Silva logged a 74 (+2) on the first day of the tournament but bounced back nicely in the second round with a 68 (-4). He logged six birdies Tuesday after tallying one on Monday to tie for 33rd on the player leaderboard with a 142 (-2).
Hans Risvaer had a great first round, carding a 70 (-2) with four birdies and fired a one-over-par 73 with two birdies in the second round. He tied for 40th with a 143 (-1). Freshman Palmer Haynes rounded out the lineup with a 151 (+7) thanks to a 76 in the first round a 75 in the final round.
UCF will return to action next week when the Knights travel to Houston for Big 12 Match Play held at The Clubs at Houston Oaks golf course.