Men's Golf | 9/18/2024 9:45:00 PM

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's golf team competed for the second time this fall, playing with some of the best teams in the nation at the Seahawk Shootout on Monday and Tuesday. The Seahawk Shootout was played at The Match course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. 

The Gyrene men finished tied for eighth in a field of eleven top teams, finishing ahead of a pair of NAIA opponents in SCAD-Savannah and Florida College, and even with the 23rd ranked team in the nation, Lawrence Tech.

Alex Veneziano led the way for the Gyrenes in the first round on the par 67 course, shooting a two-under 65. Palmer Cerko was AMU's second scorer at 70, with 2024 Sun Conference first team selection Ty Kaufman carding a 73. Joe Hamilton was the final contributor to Ave Maria's team score in the first round, carding a seven-over par score of 74.

After his second round 73, Kaufman surged to be Ave Maria's top player in the final two rounds. This effort started with his 64 in the second round, AMU's top round of the tournament. Veneziano duplicated his effort from the first round with another two-under 65, while Hamilton was third among Gyrenes with a 70. Cerko rounded out the Ave Maria team score of 274 with a second round score of 75.

Kaufman again led the way in the final round, shooting an even par 67 to move up four spots on the final day of the tournament. Veneziano, who entered the day in second place, slipped to eighth with a 73. AMU's team score on the final day of the tournament was rounded out by scores of 75 and 76 from Cerko and Hamilton, respectively.

Two Gyrenes placed in the top ten at PGA National, with Veneziano leading the way with a two-over par score of 203. Kaufman was just one stroke behind Veneziano at 204, three strokes over par. Hamilton and Cerko finished even at 220, while Ave Maria's fifth player, Troy Nason, finished with a score of 231, carding rounds of 76, 77, and 78.

The hosts and the second ranked team in the nation, the Keiser Seahawks, were dominant at PGA National, shooting a team score 22 shots under par. The Seahawks' depth was also on display, with Keiser's "C" team finishing second and the Seahawks' "B" team checking in at third. The individual medal was won by Keiser's Nicolas Llanos, who shot an eight under par score to win the title by three strokes over Webber's Vedant Sirohi.

Ave Maria's next time on the course will be on another renowned Florida course, as the Gyrene will head to Innisbrook for Dalton State's Invite at Innisbrook, scheduled for September 23 and 24. Following Innisbrook will be the second annual Gyrene Invitational, held October 14 and 15 at The National in Ave Maria.