Oilers Win West Liberty Invitational in Dominating Fashion
Wheeling, W. Va.- The University of Findlay men's golf team captured the team title, Tuesday, April 4 at the West Liberty Invitational. The event is being held at the 6,525 yard, par 71, Palmer Course at Oglebay. The Oilers entered the round with a fifteen-shot lead and went on to win the event by twelve strokes to earn their first tournament win of the season. The Oilers recorded rounds of 283 (-1), 271 (-13), and 286 (+2) to finish the tournament at 12-under par. Findlay's 54-hole total of 840 (-12) is the second lowest score in program history.
Leading the way for the Oilers this week was junior Justin Atkinson. Atkinson, who broke the 18-hole scoring record yesterday, followed it up with a 69 (-2) today. His rounds of 72 (+1), 63 (-8) and 69 (-2) put him at nine-under par, leaving him three strokes behind the leader and in a tie for second. His 54-hole score is the second best in program history. In fact, he was also nine-under at this same event last season.
Following Atkinson was fellow junior Donnie Professori. He recorded rounds of 76 (+4), 65 (-6) and 69 (-2). He finished tied for fifth at three-under par. Senior Hunter Foltz finished one-over par after rounds of 68 (-3), 70 (-1) and 76 (+5). Rounding out the lineup for the Oilers was senior Caleb Westfall who finished 24th at six-over par. He carded rounds of 74 (+3), 73 (+2), and 72 (+1). After withdrawing for the tournament yesterday, the Oilers were forced to play without Tanner Grzegorczyk today.
Playing as individuals in the event were freshman Luke Metzger and sophomore Tyler Vallee. Metzger recorded a third place finish, the highest of his career, at eight-under par. He recorded rounds of 67 (-4), 68 (-3) and 70 (-1). His score today is the third best 54-hole total in program history. Vallee also had a good showing, finishing in a tie for seventh at two-under par. He carded rounds of 69 (-2), 68 (-3) and 74 (+3).
This is Findlay's first tournament win dating back to Sept. 12, 2021.
The Oilers will be back in action at the Ken Partridge Invitational on April 9-10. The event is hosted by the University of Indianapolis at Purgatory Golf Club.
Quote from Head Coach Dominic Guarnieri
I am really pleased with their performance these past couple of days, especially today knowing every shot would count only being able to with four. Justin and Luke had a great tournament. I am excited to see what we can do next week at Purgatory. It was nice to get the win and I feel like we are continuing to improve as we get closer to the postseason.