University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Tied for First After Loyola Intercollegiate Opener
02/15/2026 | Men's Golf
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Richmond Spiders fired an 8-under 280, their second-lowest score of the season, to jump into a tie for first place atop the 20-team leaderboard after 18 holes at the Loyola Intercollegiate Sunday. With 36 holes remaining, Richmond is tied with tournament host Loyola, with South Dakota and Denver just one shot behind at 7-under par (281). Richmond is looking to defend its 2025 title at this event, when the Spiders finished at 29-under par, a program record, and won by 10 strokes.
Sophomore Carson Baez, who tied for 13th here last year, is tied for fifth after a 4-under 68 Sunday, his career-best fourth straight round under par. Baez, coming off a runner-up finish at the Lake Jovita Invitational last week, opened birdie-birdie and made his only bogey of the day on the 410-yard, par-4 17th hole.
Joining Baez in red figures Sunday were junior Quin Polin and senior Drew Carlin, both of whom shot 2-under par (70) and are tied for 13th. Polin finished seventh at this event a year ago, and Carlin is looking to build on his 1-over 217 at Lake Jovita last week, his lowest tournament score of the season.
"It feels good, and makes it a lot easier to be comfortable over tee shots," said Polin about returning to the Palm Valley Golf Club as defending champions. "Plus, the confidence that comes with us knowing we can shoot 30-under our there is great."
Junior Jack LaPiana provided the fourth team score for UR Sunday, shooting an even-par 72. He's tied for 38th. Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron is two shots behind in a tie for 64th.
Junior Parker Moellinger, competing as an individual, shot a 1-over 73 Sunday and is tied for 53rd.
Richmond registered 21 birdies Sunday, the most of any team in the field. UR's only lower round this season came in Round 2 of the Bash in the Boro in Georgia in October, an 11-under 277.
Monday's second round will begin with a shotgun start at 9:45 AM ET.
Sophomore Carson Baez, who tied for 13th here last year, is tied for fifth after a 4-under 68 Sunday, his career-best fourth straight round under par. Baez, coming off a runner-up finish at the Lake Jovita Invitational last week, opened birdie-birdie and made his only bogey of the day on the 410-yard, par-4 17th hole.
Joining Baez in red figures Sunday were junior Quin Polin and senior Drew Carlin, both of whom shot 2-under par (70) and are tied for 13th. Polin finished seventh at this event a year ago, and Carlin is looking to build on his 1-over 217 at Lake Jovita last week, his lowest tournament score of the season.
"It feels good, and makes it a lot easier to be comfortable over tee shots," said Polin about returning to the Palm Valley Golf Club as defending champions. "Plus, the confidence that comes with us knowing we can shoot 30-under our there is great."
Junior Jack LaPiana provided the fourth team score for UR Sunday, shooting an even-par 72. He's tied for 38th. Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron is two shots behind in a tie for 64th.
Junior Parker Moellinger, competing as an individual, shot a 1-over 73 Sunday and is tied for 53rd.
Richmond registered 21 birdies Sunday, the most of any team in the field. UR's only lower round this season came in Round 2 of the Bash in the Boro in Georgia in October, an 11-under 277.
Monday's second round will begin with a shotgun start at 9:45 AM ET.
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