Ekert Wins, Spiders Second at RedHawk Intercollegiate

Monday, April 17

Pittsburgh, PA

9:30 AM

University of Richmond

RedHawk Intercollegiate

Ekert Wins, Spiders Second at RedHawk Intercollegiate

04/18/2023 | Men's Golf

Results

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Spiders sophomore Cole Ekert became the first Richmond men's golfer to win a full-field event in six years Tuesday, finishing the 54-hole RedHawk Intercollegiate at 1-under par (212). Ekert, who shared medalist honors with North Dakota State's Nate Adams, is Richmond's first individual tournament champion since 2017, when Keegan Hoff won the Ft. Lauderdale Invitational.

Ekert made his move Tuesday by recording four birdies from holes 5 through 11 at the Pittsburgh Field Club. He dropped a shot on the long par-3 14th hole before closing with four straight pars.

"Knowing I was in the mix coming into the day was definitely a motivator to stay focused on every particular shot, especially because it was very cold and windy," said Ekert. "I hadn't checked the individual leaderboard for quite a while during the round, so hearing that I was tied for first when I finished my round was a great feeling."

Ekert has finished sixth or better in four of Richmond's five events this spring. He was runner-up at the Wexford Intercollegiate in February, tied for fifth at the Sea Palms Invitational in March, and placed sixth at the Cutter Creek Intercollegiate earlier this month.

"I'm really proud of Cole," said Head Coach Adam Decker. "He's played some very steady golf this semester and has been close to winning. He's been getting in contention a lot so it's awesome to see him get his first win."

Ekert is the eighth different golfer to win a tournament for the Spiders during Decker's 18 seasons at Richmond. He joins Hoff, Matthew Lowe (2016 Waterville Intercollegiate), Danny Pizetoski (3 wins between 2013-14), Sam Beach (2009 Landrey Invitational), Brad Miller (2008 Landrey Invitational), Jordan Utley (2 wins between 2006-07), and Hunter Townsend (2007 Hoya Invitational).

Ekert and teammate Ben Cooper both shot 3-under par (68) Tuesday, helping the Spiders move into second place — four shots behind champion Marquette and one shot in front of A-10 foe Dayton — after starting the day ninth on the leaderboard. Along with Ekert and Cooper, the Spiders used scores from Michael Childress (72, +1) and Garrett Clark (73, +2) for a team score of 3-under par (281) in the third round, seven shots better than any other team in the field of 14.

"It was a great team effort by the guys today," said Decker. "They battled so well through some really tough weather conditions to shoot the low round of the tournament. [Ben Cooper's] back nine was so impressive and helped us climb past a lot of teams today." Cooper played the inward nine holes in 6-under par, recording his lowest 9-hole score (29) ever in competition.

Richmond's second-place finish was its best team result since winning the VCU Shootout in September 2021. It was the team's third podium finish this season along with third-place results at the MacDonald Cup in September and the Wexford Intercollegiate in February.

"We made such a charge as a team from the start today which gave all of us so much confidence and momentum," said Ekert. "It seemed like once we moved up a couple spots on the team leaderboard there was no holding back and you definitely saw that with Coop's insane back nine."

Clark and teammate Drew Carlin both finished in the top 30 in the field of 78, tying for 29th at 224 (+11). Cooper and Childress finished one shot behind at 225 (+12), tied for 34th place.

The RedHawk Intercollegiate is Richmond's final event prior to the 2023 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship, which will be held from April 28-30 at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla. After Tuesday's result, Richmond will enter the event with no shortage of confidence.

"It's great for us to put up a great day and tournament right before we leave for the conference tournament," said Ekert. "I think this is the most confident some of us have felt all year, so we've got to bring that energy to Orlando and have some more fun down there."

Decker concurred, adding, "It's a great final prep before heading to the A10 championship. The guys know they are capable and just need to believe in themselves."