The La Salle University men's golf team finished the Battle at Rum Pointe in a tie for 11th place out of 16 teams, with a two-round total of 613 (+37). Payton Hawke led the team, securing a tied 37th place with a score of 151 (+7), highlighted by nine birdies and a stellar round of 71. Other notable performances included Kyle Virsik and Benjamin Battye, both tied for 44th with scores of 153 (+9). The team excelled on par-5 holes but struggled on par-3s, ranking low in this aspect. The team will next compete at the Wildcat Spring Invitational in early April.

By the Numbers
  • La Salle scored 613 (+37) over two rounds, their highest 36-hole total this season.
  • Payton Hawke made nine birdies, including a career-best seven on Friday.
  • Kyle Virsik recorded a team-high 23 pars, and Benjamin Battye averaged 3.13 on par-3s.
Yes, But

While the team's par-5 performance was exceptional, their struggles on par-3 holes could be a cause for concern, as they ranked 15th among participating teams in that category.

State of Play
  • La Salle's round-two score of 312 was their second-highest of the season.
  • They had the fifth-best par-5 scoring average in the field at 4.70 (-12).
What's Next

The Explorers will aim to improve their performance at the Wildcat Spring Invitational on April 6-7, focusing on addressing their weaknesses on par-3 holes.

Bottom Line

To enhance their competitive edge, La Salle needs to solidify their par-3 scoring while maintaining their momentum on par-5s as they prepare for future tournaments.