Senior Justin Atkinson finished tied for 30th individually to lead the Youngstown State men's golf team in its spring season opener at the two-day World Golf Village Collegiate hosted by Eastern Kentucky, which concluded on Tuesday from King & Bear Golf Course in St. Augustine, Fla.
The Penguins finished 17th as a team with a three-round total of 917. YSU posted a 300 in the opening round on Monday before recording a 309 and a 308 in the final two rounds, respectively. The second round of action was suspended due to darkness just after 6 p.m. on Monday. The teams finished the second session on Tuesday before moving into the third and final round of play.
Atkinson finished tied for 30th with a three-round score of 220 (76-70-74). The senior transfer's two-under-par 70 in the second round featured 10 pars and five birdies as he fired a four-under-par 32 on the back nine. Atkinson's two-over-par 74 in the final round included 12 pars and a pair of birdies as he carded a one-under-par 35 on the back nine.
Playing as an individual, Michael Porter finished with a three-round total of 229 (82-72-75). The redshirt freshman's even-par 72 in the second session featured nine pars and five birdies as he fired a three-under-par 33 on the back nine. Porter's final-round 75 included 11 pars and two birdies that came at No. 8 and No. 12.
Cole Christman (74-80-76) and Jacob Sylak (76-77-77) each concluded the tournament with a three-round score of 230. Christman's two-over-par 74 in the opening round featured nine pars and four birdies. Sylak's first-round 76 included nine pars and three birdies as he shot a one-over-par 37 on the back nine.
Dean Austalosh finished the event with a three-round 237 (74-82-81). The redshirt senior's opening-round 74 featured 15 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 12. Ryan Sam turned in a three-round total of 241 (76-84-81). The sophomore's first-round 76 included 12 pars and a birdie on the par-three No. 6.
Stetson claimed the tournament title by three strokes at 16 under par with a three-round team total of 848. Jacksonville State finished as the runner-up with an 851 while Belmont placed third with an 862. Jacksonville State's Erik Jansson earned medalist honors by three strokes at 16 under par with a three-round score of 200 (68-62-70).
Youngstown State will continue its spring season on March 18-19 with the ECU Intercollegiate at Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, N.C.
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