VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Ave Maria University men's golf team recorded the most successful tournament in program history this week, winning both team and individual titles at the Marlins Invitational. Held at Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia and hosted by Virginia Wesleyan University, the Gyrenes defeated the hosts by eight shots to win the team title. Ave Maria was led by Ty Kaufman, who won the individual title by one shot in dramatic fashion.

The Gyrenes made an immediate impression on the field on Monday, shooting just one over par as a team to open up a five shot lead. Kaufman led the Gyrenes with a three-under score of 69, while Gabriel DeCasas went under par as well with a 71. Scores of 74 from Alex Veneziano and 75 from Matt Mullen rounded out a stellar team score for the Gyrenes, while Kaufman entered the final day one shot back of the lead.

Although the Gyrenes team score dipped to 305 in the second round, the Gyrenes still had the best score in the field, allowing AMU to put away the title. Veneziano was AMU's top scorer on Tuesday, remaining consistent with another 74. Kaufman followed with a 75, while DeCasas shot a 76. For the second day in row, Mullen was the final scoring player for the Gyrenes, carding an 80.

In the race for the individual title, Kaufman was even with both Montreat's Hunter Vowell and Virginia Wesleyan's Avery Barnes heading to the final hole. On the par five 18th, Kaufman made an eagle to win the title, pulling to even par for the tournament. Vowell finished second after making birdie, while Barnes, who finished one group ahead of both Kaufman and Vowell, finished third at two-over.

DeCasas and Veneziano joined Kaufman in the top five, with DeCasas finishing three shots back at 147 and Veneziano an additional shot back at 148. Mullen finished in the top 15 of the field with a 36-hole score of 155. Ave Maria's fifth golfer in the tournament was AJ Cherubini, who posted rounds of 81 and 82 to finish with an overall score of 163.

The Virginia tournament marked the final time the Gyrenes will play in a stroke play event before The Sun Conference Championships in late April. The final event on Ave Maria's regular season schedule will come two weeks before that, when AMU competes at the Webber Match Play Invitational. That event, hosted by the Warriors of Webber International University, is scheduled for April 15 and 16.