WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Ave Maria Men's Golf Team had their best finish of the spring season in the Kona Ice Keiser Kup March 9-11, placing sixth among 14 teams. The Gyrenes got better each round, shaving five strokes from the previous day on both Monday and Tuesday.

The tournament began Sunday, March 9. As a team, the Gyrenes shot 22-over-par. Matt Mullen and Ty Kaufman tied for the team lead, each shooting 4-over-par. The two had nearly identical rounds with three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and a double bogey. Alex Veneziano was just one stroke behind them at 5-over-par. Veneziano led the team in pars with 12 and one birdie. Benny Achziger was the final scorer for the Gyrenes, finishing 9-over-par.

On Monday, Ave Maria improved by five strokes, shooting 17-over-par. Again, Mullen and Kaufman tied for the team lead, this time at just 3-over-par. Kaufman had more birdies with four, but Mullen recorded the only eagle of the tournament for the Gyrenes. Mullen finished a 549 yard par 5 in just three strokes on the 15^th hole. Veneziano was third on the team, again at 5-over-par. Veneziano had two more birdies than he did in the first round. Daniel Nycum was the final scorer for the Gyrenes, shooting 6-over-par with two birdies.

The final round on Tuesday was the best round for the Gyrenes, shaving off another five strokes. As a team, Ave Maria shot 12-over-par to finish 51-up on the round. Kaufman led the team with one of the best rounds in school history, shooting 4-under-par for a 67. Kaufman posted six birdies to just two bogeys for the under par round. It is just the second time in program history a Gyrene has hit 67.

Nycum was the second best for the Gyrenes in the final round, posting a score of 73 for 2-over-par. Nycum had two birdies, which was the most for him in the tournament. Veneziano was right behind him at 4-over-par, also with two birdies. After the front nine, Kaufman, Nycum and Veneziano were all under par.

Mullen pulled up the rear in the final round, shooting 10-over-par with three birdies.

As a team, the Gyrenes finished sixth with a score of +51. They were nine strokes ahead of the Palm Beach Atlantic B team, who finished seventh. Among Sun Conference teams, Ave Maria was behind host Keiser, who sponsored two teams that finished first and second, and ahead of New College who finished 11^th.

Kaufman was the top finisher for the Gyrenes, placing third out of a field of 80 golfers. The junior rose 15 spots on the final day to get into the top three.

The Gyrenes get four weeks off before returning to the links April 14-15 for the Florida College Invitational. It is the last tournament the Gyrenes will participate in before the Sun Conference Championship at the end of April.