Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla. - The Youngstown State men's golf team used momentum from a strong start to surge into fifth place after the opening round of play at the 2024 Horizon League Golf Championships at the Mission Inn Resort's El Campeon course.
YSU carded a 295 for its round and resides in fifth place in the team standings. Wright State is on top following the first day with a 282 (six under par) while Cleveland State (288), Purdue Fort Wayne (289) and Oakland (290) are just in front of the Penguins.
Individually, Justin Atkinson is in fifth place after carding an opening round 70 while Jacob Sylak is a in a logjam for eighth following a 72.
The Guins opened on the back nine and quickly found their stride making 12 birdies to grab an early lead in the event. Sylak and Atkinson added eagles on the par-5 first hole after the turn to spearhead the charge. YSU had two of the five birdies scored on Saturday.
Atkinson finished with a two-under par 70 in his Horizon League Championships debut. Starting on 10, he had birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 16 to get to four-under through his first eight holes. He was three-under on the back nine and opened the front side with an eagle three on the par-5 first. His final eight holes featured five pars and three bogeys.
Sylak posted an even-par round of 72 in his first HL postseason appearance. Like Atkinson, Sylak started fast with birdies at Nos. 13, 16 and 18 to shoot a 36 on the back nine. After the turn, he was the first Guin to eagle the par 5 first hole. He closed out his opening round with five pars and a birdie on No. 9.
Dean Austalosh bolted out of the clubhouse and was four-under after his first seven holes. Austalosh birded 11, 14, 15 and 16 before being slowed by a bogey on No. 17. He had six pars on the front side and finished with a four-over par 74.
Cole Christman and Ryan Sam each finished with opening rounds of 77. Sam had birdies on No. 10 and No. 14 and at one point made par on eight of nine holes. For his round he had 11 pars overall. Christman was four over following his first five holes before regrouping to go one-over par on his final 13 for the round. He closed his day with a birdie on the par-4 ninth.
The tournament resumes tomorrow at the El Camperon course. The men will tee off just before 2 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's second round.
