Huntingdon men’s golf finishes 5th in Royal Lakes Invitational

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Huntingdon men's golf team entered the final round of the Royal Lakes Invitational one stroke out of first place. But a final-round score of 304 dropped the Hawks to fifth place on Tuesday at the Royal Lakes Golf Club.

Tournament champion LaGrange followed up a first-round total of 289 with a 286 on Tuesday and shot 575 for the tournament. LaGrange was the only team in the top five to improve on its first round score.

Five strokes separated second through fifth place. Averett University and Berry College tied for second at 589, Oglethorpe was fourth at 593 and Huntingdon was fifth at 594.

Huntingdon seniors Jamey Lester and Rodes Bowers and junior Steven Smith all finished within 10 strokes of first place. LaGrange's Ozborn Theam shot a 3-under-par 68 in the final round and won with a two-round total of 139.

Huntingdon's Lester shot 2-over 73 on Tuesday and tied for sixth in the tournament at 3-over 145. Bowers tied for 11th, shooting 3-over 74 in the final round and 146 for the tournament. Smith was 24th, turning in a 5-over 76 on Tuesday and finishing at 149.

Junior Tyler McLelland shot 154 for the Hawks and senior Griffin Just finished at 161. Playing as an individual, freshman Will Thrash shot a 36-hole total of 153.

For full results, click on the Results link here or at the top of the page.