HPU Men’s Golf: Bartolomucci leads Bulldog Florida Invitational after first round

• Freshman RJ Bartolomucci missed his career-best mark by one stroke and leads the Bulldog Florida Invitational after the first round.
• The Panthers completed the first round in 299 strokes, just one shot off Detroit’s top mark through 18 holes.
• Sophomore Davis Kiger is tied for fifth after shooting +2 (74) over the opening 18 holes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High Point University men’s golf freshman RJ Bartolomucci leads the Bulldog Florida Invitational through the first round played on Wednesday at Windsor Parke in Jacksonville, Fla.

Behind Bartolomucci’s hot stroke, the Panthers are one stroke back of Detroit after 18 holes. Overall, the Purple & White registered a 299 just one stroke behind Detroit for the top spot on the leaderboard.

“Our goal is to win every event we enter no matter how big the event is and being one shot off the lead going into the final round, we are have put ourselves into a position to do that,” head coach Brady Gregor said. “RJ and Davis came up big for us today with RJ going out and having the low round of the day to help keep us in it. I am excited to watch us perform playing in the final group as we look to chase down the leaders.”

Bartolomucci opened the tournament carding a -2 (70) to post the second best round of his freshman season. The Hilton Head, S.C. native holds a one-stroke lead over Detroit’s Kyle Gaines as the only two players at or below par after one round.

One of those players just above par, sophomore Davis Kiger is four strokes behind Bartolomucci after firing a +2 (74), which ties him for fifth. Next, junior Emile Menard comes in tied for 14th after shooting a +5 (77) on the day.

Playing as an individual, redshirt-junior A.J. Hopkins posted a +6 (78) and is tied with freshman Brendan MacDougall through one round. Wrapping up the lineup, freshman Alec Weary carded a +8 (80).

The Panthers will be back out on the course on Thursday at 9 a.m. looking to capture their second win of the calendar year.