HPU Men’s Golf Tied For 11th After The First Round At The Kiawah Classic

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – The High Point University men’s golf team shot a combined 300 in the first round of the Wendy’s Kiawah Classic on Sunday to finish the day in a tie for 11th at Kiawah Island, S.C. Sophomore Charles Valluzzo shot an even-par 71 to lead HPU.

“We played pretty well at times today,” head coach Greg Flesher said. “We had some mental lapses, but we also hit some clutch shots and putts. The field is pretty tough. It is probably the hardest competition we have played all season. Overall I was happy with how we played and I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”

Valluzzo had three birdies on the day and finished in a tie for eighth. Senior Chase Wilson finished one stroke behind Valluzzo in a tie for 18th with a one-over 72.

Freshman McKay Tye played even-par golf over his final 10 holes and finished in a tie for 83rd with a 78. Senior Brian Sullivan and sophomore Sam Stewart each carded a 79 and finished in a tie for 94th.

South Carolina finished the first round at the top of the team leader board with a two-under 282. The Gamecocks lead by seven strokes over Winthrop which finished the day in second with a score of 289. The College of Charleston (290), Radford (292) and Western Kentucky (295) round out the top five.

Utah Valley’s Mason Casper and South Carolina’s Caleb Sturgeon are tied for the individual lead after both carded a three-under 68. USC’s Matthew NeSmith sits just one-stroke back of the pair after turning in a first-round 69.

High Point will return to Turtle Point Golf Club on Monday for the second round of the Kiawah Classic. The Panthers will tee off from the first hole beginning at 10 a.m.