Spiders Tie for Fifth at Golfweek Fall Challenge

Sunday, September 8

Pawleys Island, SC

8:24 AM

University of Richmond

Golfweek Fall Challenge

Adam Decker and Patrick Isztwan converse on the tee box

09/10/2024 | Men's Golf

SCORES

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — The Spiders men's golf team snagged a top-five finish in its first event of the 2024-25 season, tying for fifth in the 15-team Golfweek Fall Challenge at True Blue Golf Club. Richmond combined for a team score of 2-under par in Tuesday's final round to finish the 54-hole event at 1-over par (865), the same as Mercer. UR tied for eighth in the same event last season.

"This is a really good team," said Spiders coach Adam Decker. "We have great leadership from the older guys and the young guys are hungry to make their mark."

The Spiders were led by senior Cole Ekert, who shot a third-straight 70 (-2) Tuesday to finish the event tied for sixth at 6-under par.

"I just stayed in my own lane and really didn't try to worry about anything but playing my rounds efficiently," said Ekert, whose total equaled the 14th-lowest tournament score in program history. "I usually check scores, but I didn't do any of that this week. I was focused on putting up three solid rounds and seeing how we end up as a team."

Junior Drew Carlin tied for 27th at 1-over par (217), one shot in front of freshman Carson Baez, who tied for 31st in his collegiate debut.

Sophomore Jack LaPiana tied for 47th at 7-over par (223), and senior Patrick Isztwan tied for 50th at 9-over par (225) as every Spider finished in the top 50 among the field of 85 players.

Richmond combined to play the par 3s in 4-over par during the event, tied for the best of any team in the field.

Up next for Richmond is the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational in Farmington, Pa., beginning on September 30.

"Collectively, there's lots to take away from this week," said Ekert. "I think we all have a good idea of how to manage our practice before our next event to be best prepared. We're all eager to get home and put in the work before Nemacolin."