Longwood University Athletics

Huntington, W.V. – On Monday, Brendan Dunphy and Nick Rakes led the charge, and a strong performance up and down the card vaulted Longwood men's golf into a tie for second at the Joe Feaganes Marshall Invitational, hosted by Marshall at the par-71, 6,523 yard Guyan Golf and Country Club.
 
The Lancers had four players finish in the top half of the field and three inside the top 25. That paved the way for scores of 286-286—572 (+4). The team was one of the most consistent on the day, finishing fourth in the field in pars (114) and average score on Par 4s (4.11) and Par 5s (4.73).
 
"I thought that most of our guys played really hard today," said Longwood head coach Kevin Fillman. "Especially this afternoon, we had a great chance to put up a very good number. It's a shame we kind of let it go a bit at the end. After being out there for 10 and a half or 11 hours, fatigue certainly played a role. It's not being physically tired; it's more when being tired affects our ability to focus mentally. We just have to fight through that a little better."
 
Dunphy, a junior, ended the opening day of the two-day, 54-hole tournament in a three-way tie for fifth after posting back-to-back rounds under par 70-69—139 (-3). The Ontario native was one of only five players in the field who posted consecutive rounds under par, and he did his damage on Par 4s. He averaged 3.86 strokes per Par 4, one of only 12 players in the field to shoot better than par on Par 4s on the day. In total, he posted 25 pars and added seven birdies in the 36 holes he played.
 
Rakes, the reigning Big South men's golf Player of the Week, also was consistent, finishing just one shot back of his teammate in a four-way tie for eighth at two under after carding a 72-68—140 (-2). The sophomore's second-round 68, his lowest score of the young season, was tied for the third lowest score among the field in the round. That allowed him to shoot up 15 spots after the first round. His 26 pars tied for fifth most, and he added six birdies to boot. Rakes also shot well on Par 4s, averaging 3.91 strokes per hole.
 
"I'm pleased that the back end of the lineup played some solid golf today," said Fillman. "Nick and Brendan got some experience playing in those top two spots for the first time last week. They struggled through it at EKU, but I knew they'd be better for it. As expected, both looked much more comfortable today. We'll try to get some other guys to join them tomorrow, and we'll see if we can make a little charge."
 
Scott Jordan, the reigning Big South men's golf Freshman of the Week, finished inside the top 25 on the strength of a strong first round. He carded a 70-75—145 (+3) to tie for 23^rd. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native notched six birdies.
 
Daniel George finished the day tied for 45^th behind a 74-74—148 (+6) as the junior from Canada had 24 pars.
 
Following George, Christian Michael shot a 77-79—156 (+14) and will enter Tuesday's round in a tie for 84^th. Ryan Hammer, competing as an independent, finished tied for 74^th behind a 77-75—152 (+10).
 
The final round of the tournament will begin on Tuesday.
 
Joe Feaganes Marshall Invitational (hosted by Marshall University)
Sept. 13, 2021 (Day 1)
Huntington, W.V.
Guyan Golf and Country Club (Par 71 – 6,523 yards)
 
Team Results
1. Marshall (273-285—558, -10)
T-2. Longwood (286-286—572, +4)
T-2. Dayton (280-292—572, +4)
T-2. Wright State (282-290—572, +4)
5. Belmont (288-288—576, +8)
T-6. Morehead State (287-291—578, +10)
T-6. Northern Kentucky (285-293—578, +10)
8. Youngstown State (292-288—580, +12)
9. Bowling Green State (287-294—581, +13)
T-10. Stetson (289-300—589, +21)
T-10. Purdue-Fort Wayne (296-293—589, +21)
T-12. Mount St. Mary's (295-298—593, +25)
T-12. Cleveland State (294-299—593, +25)
14. Robert Morris (292-304—596, +28)
15. Xavier (299-304—603, +35)
 
Longwood Individual Results
T-5. Brendan Dunphy (70-69—139, -3)
T-8. Nick Rakes (72-68—140, -2)
T-23. Scott Jordan (70-75—145, +3)
T-45. Daniel George (74-74—148, +6)
T-84. Christian Michael (77-79—156, +14)
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T-74. Ryan Hammer (77-75—152, +10) – Individual
 
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