FIT Finishes Strong In Buccaneer Invitational

By  //  April 3, 2013

Men's Golf Team Ties For Seventh Place

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – After struggling in the opening round of the Buccaneer Invitational presented by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Florida Tech responded with two strong rounds on Tuesday to jump six places and finish in a tie for seventh at Normandy Shores Golf Club.

FIT’s Ray Badenhorst’s three-round total of 211 (72-71-68) was a team best in the Buccaneer Invitational in Miami Beach. (Image courtesy of Florida Tech)

The morning began with the completion of round two, which was suspended Monday evening because of darkness. The Panthers closed out the second round by improving their round one score by 20 strokes. FIT shot a two-over-par team total of 286 to move to ninth.

The team improved upon that position in the final round by posting a one-over 285 to vault into a tie for seventh with Wilmington (Del.) University.

Florida Tech was led by sophomore Ray Badenhorst, who closed the day with a three-under 68 to finish in a tie for eighth. His three-round total 211 (72-71-68) was a team best.

Badenhorst’s 71 in round two was matched by a pair of teammates, junior David Glenister and sophomore Brandon Lau. Glenister and Lau concluded the tournament at 221 (79-71-71) and 225 (80-71-74), respectively.

Junior Justin Kalanquin added the Panthers’ second-best three-round total at 220 (75-73-72). He finished the tournament in a tie for 36th at seven-over-par.

Nationally-ranked No. 1 Nova Southeastern earned the team victory after using a pair of under-par rounds. The Sharks shot a 14-under 270 in round two and 13-under 271 in round three to win by 13 strokes. Host Barry finished second at 840.

NSU’s Ben Taylor took the individual title, shooting nine-under-par for the tournament. Barry’s Scott Smyers finished in second place, three strokes behind Taylor.

The Panthers’ focus now turns to April 15 and the Sunshine State Conference Championship in Dade City, Fla.

FIT finished last season’s conference match in third place before going on to earn a sixth-place finish in the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional.

The squad will tee off at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club at 8 a.m.