Longwood University Athletics

FARMVILLE, Va. – Christian Michael was lights out for Longwood men's golf to open the Highlander Invitational on Monday at the Par-72, 7,088 yard Pete Dye River Course in Radford, Va. The junior posted the best 18-hole score in his Lancer career to lead Longwood to a third place finish in the single-day event.
 
Michael's opening-round 67 was the lowest single-round total in the tournament and helped him finish under par over the 36 holes, as he tallied a 67-76—143 (-1) to lead Longwood. He tied for seventh in the 36 player field to lead a Lancer scoring group that finished 294-296—590 (+14), just five shots behind Gardner-Webb.
 
"First, it was good for us to have the chance to get everybody out there and play some golf in competition," said Longwood head coach Kevin Fillman. "Secondly, it was also good for us to have everybody play a golf course away from home where we tend to be a little too comfortable sometimes. Finally, after playing all the little, tight golf courses we've been playing, the guys have been asking to go play a big golf course. Well, today we did, and I think a few of us learned a lot about ourselves in the process. It was great to see Christian play so well this morning. We really needed somebody to step up, and he was able to cover a lot of damage for our scoring team with that round.
 
The junior's performance was part of a day that saw four different players shoot under par in a round as every golfer competed for Longwood. In his first collegiate competition, freshman Justin Larue pieced together a solid outing, shooting two under par in his opening 18 holes on the way to going shooting par for the day. He carded a 70-74-144 (E) to finish in a tie for 10^th.
 
Ryan Hammer finished in a tie for 12^th behind a strong close over the final 18 holes of the 36-hole competition. The senior, competing as an individual, shot two under par in that final round to finish with a 75-70—145 (+1). Brendan Dunphy also bounced back in his final round, shooting a second-round 71 to tie to finish 80-71—151 (+7) and tie for 28^th place.
 
"I was happy to see Justin play a very solid first round of college golf," Fillman said. "He's had some pretty big accomplishments in his playing career—and those don't happen by accident—but your first round of college golf can be intimidating. It actually seemed to be a fairly seamless transition for him. Having both Brendan and Ryan come back with under-par rounds this afternoon could also prove to be big for both those two individuals and for our golf team moving forward."
 
Scott Jordan, the reigning Big South Freshman of the Week, shot back-to-back 75's  for Longwood's second lowest score among the scoring group. His 75-75—150 (+6) finished in a tie for 23^rd.
 
Nick Rakes carded a 77-74—151 (+7) to tie Dunphy for 28^th, and Daniel George rounded out the scoring group with a 75-82—157 (+13) in a tie for 35^th. Competing as an individual, Payo Larrain carded a 76-76—152 (+8 to finish in a tie for 31^st, and Zane Moore shot a 75-78—153 (+9) in his first collegiate competition to finish in a tie for 33^rd.
 
Highlander Invitational (Hosted by Radford)
Oct. 4, 2021
Radford, Va. (Pete Dye River Course)
Par-72, 7,088 yards
 
Final Team Results
1. Radford (286-283—569, -7)
2. Gardner-Webb (289-296—585, +9)
3. Longwood (294-296—590, +14)
4. Appalachian State (297-297—594, +18)
 
Longwood Individual Results (36 participants)
T-7. Christian Michael (67-76—143, -1)
T-10. Justin LaRue (70-74—144, E)
T-12. Ryan Hammer (75-70—145, +1)
T-23. Scott Jordan (75-75—150, +6)
T-28. Nick Rakes (77-74—151, +7)
T-28. Brendan Dunphy (80-71—151, +7)
T-31. Payo Larrain (76-76—152, +8)
T-33. Zane Moore (75-78—153, +9)
T-35. Daniel George (75-82—157, +13)
 
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