University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Golf Picked Third in Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll
02/23/2018 | Men's Golf
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 released the 2018 men's golf preseason poll on Friday afternoon and the defending champion University of Richmond men's golf team has been picked by the league's coaches to finish third, but did receive five, first-place votes, which were tied for the most of any team. Â
The Spiders matched Dayton, who was picked first, in first-place votes but finished five points back and in third behind VCU who finished three points ahead of Richmond despite just one, first-place vote. George Washington checks in in fourth with Davidson, George Mason, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Saint Jospeh's and La Salle, respectively, rounding out the poll.
The Spiders return four players from last season's roster, three of which competed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2017. Returning sophomores, Andrew Sciarretta and Zack Justice, both of whom were chasing the individual title in Orlando last year, anchored the Spiders. Justice, an Orlando native, set the tone with a -6, 66 on Friday, taking the early lead, then played one-under par the rest of the tournament to finish in a tie for second (-7, 66, 72, 71) with his roommate. Sciarretta was steady over the first two rounds then exploded during the final trip around, posting a career-best 67 to finish –7 and tied with Justice for second overall. The pair was named Co-Most Outstanding Rookie Performers.Â
Also returning is senior Matthew Lowe who finished -5 (70, 70, 71) in the Championship last year to claim a spot in a tie for fifth overall.
Richmond's spring season continues on March 16 with The Schenkel at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga. The three-day event will kick off the first of three events the Spiders will play in prior to heading back to Orlando to defend their crown.
1. Dayton - 109 (5)
2. VCU - 107 (1)
3. Richmond - 104 (5)
4. George Washington - 91
5. Davidson - 69
6. George Mason - 65
7. Rhode Island - 51
8. St. Bonaventure - 43
9. Fordham - 42
10. Saint Joseph's - 29
11. La Salle - 16
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The Spiders matched Dayton, who was picked first, in first-place votes but finished five points back and in third behind VCU who finished three points ahead of Richmond despite just one, first-place vote. George Washington checks in in fourth with Davidson, George Mason, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, Fordham, Saint Jospeh's and La Salle, respectively, rounding out the poll.
The Spiders return four players from last season's roster, three of which competed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2017. Returning sophomores, Andrew Sciarretta and Zack Justice, both of whom were chasing the individual title in Orlando last year, anchored the Spiders. Justice, an Orlando native, set the tone with a -6, 66 on Friday, taking the early lead, then played one-under par the rest of the tournament to finish in a tie for second (-7, 66, 72, 71) with his roommate. Sciarretta was steady over the first two rounds then exploded during the final trip around, posting a career-best 67 to finish –7 and tied with Justice for second overall. The pair was named Co-Most Outstanding Rookie Performers.Â
Also returning is senior Matthew Lowe who finished -5 (70, 70, 71) in the Championship last year to claim a spot in a tie for fifth overall.
Richmond's spring season continues on March 16 with The Schenkel at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga. The three-day event will kick off the first of three events the Spiders will play in prior to heading back to Orlando to defend their crown.
1. Dayton - 109 (5)
2. VCU - 107 (1)
3. Richmond - 104 (5)
4. George Washington - 91
5. Davidson - 69
6. George Mason - 65
7. Rhode Island - 51
8. St. Bonaventure - 43
9. Fordham - 42
10. Saint Joseph's - 29
11. La Salle - 16
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Players Mentioned
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