IUP mens golf team open 2011 season in North Carolina

The IUP men's golf team participated in the annual St. James Plantation Invitational this weekend in Southport, N.C. and soundly defeated the 10-team field by 10 strokes.

The team was able to shoot a total of 605, which was 29 over the par for the course but was good enough to defeat rival PSAC schools West Chester and Clarion.

IUP shot a 305 in the first round and 300 in the second and never relinquished the team lead.

Individually, the team was led by junior Brad Boyle and sophomore Derek Baker.

Boyle and Baker finished 1-2 in the individual standings for the invitational. Boyle shot a total 148, which is good enough for 4-over for the course.

Boyle struggled in the first round and shot a 77 and fell behind to Millersville's Matt Dudas who shot a 73.

Dudas's struggles in the second round helped Boyle gain confidence and bounce back.

Baker was consistent in both rounds. He finished round one with a 75 and then shot a 74 in round two for 149 total and a score of 5-over for the match.

Freshman Zack Kempa was 14 over for the match and finished tied for tenth.

Sophomore Sean Sweithelm finished tied for 35th with a score of 26 over par and sophomore Keifer O'Neil finished tied for 36th shooting 27 over par during the tournament.

The Crimson Hawks stayed in North Carolina where they finished in eighth place at the Pizza Inn Barton Intercollegiate Invitation at Barton College Tuesay.

As a team, IUP shot a total of 611, which was good enough for 35 over par for the course.

Host Barton College won their own event, shooting a 293 in the first round and 292 in the second, which was the best for both rounds. The team finished nine over par.

Freshman Zack Kempa led IUP as he shot eight over par to tie for 22nd place in the invitational.

Baker and Leo Acklin both finished tied for 25th with a nine over par.

Boyle, who finished first over the weekend at the St. James Plantation Invitational, tied for 44th with 14 over par. Kiefer O'Neil rounded out the Crimson Hawks with a 26 over par.

The Hawks' Men's Golf team travel to New Castle for the Westminster Invitational on March 28. Afterwards, they travel to West Chester April 3 for the West Chester Invitational.