SAVANNAH, Ga. – The High Point University men’s golf team shot a combined 292 in the second and final round of the Lonnie Barton Invitational to claim the team title with a total score of 605 on Tuesday in Savannah, Ga. Freshman Sam Stewart shot a career-low one-under 71 on the day and picked up the individual medal with a 36-hole score of 143.
“It is great to pick up the win here for the second year in a row. The wind died down a bit today which really helped us. I am very proud of the way Sam played in picking up the individual win and the way the team played as a whole. It was nice to play the second round the way we know we are capable of.”
Senior Curtis Brotherton turned in the low round of the day on Tuesday with a 70, giving him a two-day score of 154 (84-70) to finish in a tie for seventh. Senior Thomas McLellan fired a 76 and ended the event in a tie for seventh with a total score of 154 (78-76). Junior Chase Wilson followed up his opening round 81 with a 75 to finish in a tie for ninth with a two-round score of 156. Freshman Charles Valluzzo carded an 81 on the day to finish in a tie for 25th with a total score of 163 (82-81).
The win by HPU is the second-straight for the Panthers at the Lonnie Barton Invitational. High Point outshot day-one leader Stony Brook by 16 strokes in the second round, winning by 12 strokes. LIU-Brooklyn (626), Robert Morris (630) and Mount St. Mary’s (642) rounded out the top five.
The Individual Medal won by Stewart is the first of the freshman’s collegiate career. He set new career lows for both 18-hole and 36-hole scores in the two-day event. Stewart finished five-strokes ahead of Sacred Heart’s Leo Garcia who finished second with a score of 148.
High Point next travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to compete in The Bash at the Beach. The three-day event will begin on March 11 and will be held at the Surf Golf & Beach Club and Barefoot Resort.