NASHPORT, Ohio – The Trine University men's golf team concluded play at the 36-hole Region V Preview event on the Virtues Golf Club in Nashport, Ohio on Tuesday. The team secured a third-place finish out of 15 teams and junior Mark Civanich was individual medalist with a score of 151 (75,76). Otterbein University secured the top team score at 627, while the College of Wooster was second at 637 and Trine third with a score of 639.
"The Virtues was a fantastic place to play and the tournament field was large and was full of great teams," head coach Noah Warren mentioned after the event. "This was by far the toughest golf course and conditions that we have competed in. Our team put up a strong fight and led the field in birdies, but unfortunately too many high numbers costed us the win. I'm proud of Mark for the composure and focus he had out here, and the great scores that he posted!"
Civanich was tied atop the leaderboard after day one and fired a 76 on day two to pull away from the pack. He hit par on the first five holes to start his second round, then notched a bogey followed by a birdie to finish even on the front. Upon making the turn, the junior caught fire and rattled off a trifecta of consecutive birdies, one on a par-5, par-4 and par-3. His 3-under start on the back helped cushion his card after struggling on the hardest holes on the course to wrap up the back at 76.
"The Virtues was a tough test of golf this week and it was set up like a national championship with tight pins with fast greens," Civanich said. "I thought the course suited my eye nicely to perform well. With the fall season coming to a close soon, this was a good test for myself and our team headed into our final events."
Carter Schnipke had the second-lowest score for the Thunder on the day and tied for 21st on the leaderboard at 162 (85,77). He took eight strokes off his first round score, including five birdies on the front nine and three in a row on holes 1-3. He also topped off his front nine with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes.
Tied with Schnipke with a final score of 162 (83,79) was Kyler Rod. Rod shaved four strokes off yesterday's tally with the help of a birdie on the par-3 hole 14. Mitch Lowney finished at 164 (83,81) with 11 pars on Tuesday. Nick Coccaro had four pars en route to a score of 175 (87,88).
Individual scorer Charlie Eriksen had three birdies on Tuesday to complete his two rounds at 159 (81,78). Eriksen finished 14th on the player leaderboard.
The Trine men's golf team gets back to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action on Saturday, October 8 for their next competition – MIAA Jamboree #3 at Tecumseh Golf Club.