BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Trine University men's golf team played solid collectively on day one of the Lou Collins Memorial Tournament, hosted by Olivet College. The Thunder are tied with fellow Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) squad, Adrian College, atop the leaderboard halfway through the event.
Both the Thunder and Bulldogs finished round one of two with a score of 292 (4-over). They have separated themselves from third place by 12 strokes.
Leading the charge for Trine was senior Mitch Lowney. Lowney fired a 2-under 70 with six birdies, including four on the final six holes. He is in second place on the player leaderboard, one stroke off the lead. He tied for the fewest strokes on par-4 holes in the first round at the event.
Charlie Eriksen was the second-lowest scoring member for the Thunder with a 1-over 73. He is tied for fifth overall. The senior was crisp on par-3s, leading Trine by going 1-under on those four holes. Along with his birdie on the par-3 17th, he also went under par on the 7th and 13th holes.
One back of Eriksen was Mark Civanich. He had three birdies in a four-hole span on the front and wrapped up play with a 74. The senior is just outside the top-10 after day one in a tie for 11th.
Sophomore Kyler Rod had three birdies as well for Trine. He shot a 75 and is tied for 13th. Junior Carter Rang is trailing Rod by two strokes with a round one score of 77. Competing in his first collegiate tournament, freshman Carter Schnipke wrapped up play at 81 as an individual.
Round two at Bedford Valley Country Club tees off at 9 am Saturday morning with the Thunder looking to bring home team and individual trophies in their first event of the 2022 fall season.