SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – The St. Bonaventure golf team began the spring schedule this week at the Babygrande Donald Ross Collegiate Classic hosted by George Mason, placing 19^th in the team standings.

The Bonnies were led by freshman Braddock Damore with a 54-hole total of 223 which earned him a 46^th-place finish in the field of 100. Damore posted matching scores of 75 in the first two rounds of play followed by a two-over 73 in the final round.

Grad student Peter Byrne followed Damore on the leaderboard, also posting matching scores in the opening round of 77. Byrne carded a third round 76.

The best round of the tournament came in Tuesday's third round from freshman Dante Bertoni. Bertoni bounced back from his first two rounds of 87 and 81 to record an even 72 in the final round. Starting on the 11^th hole, Bertoni found himself 5-over-par through the first 10 holes of the day; However, the Endicott, N.Y. native battle back, going birdie, eagle, birdie on holes 4-6 and closing out the day with another red figure on the 10^th hole for an even par 72.

The third round was the team's best with a score of 300. The Bonnies improved each round of the event shooting 309 in round one and 306 in round two.

Junior Michael Bucko was consistent for the tournament with rounds of 78-79-79 while classmate Gabe Williams second round 75 was his best of the tournament (79-75-80).

The Bonnies return Virginia for their second tournament of the spring two weeks from now at the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate hosted by William & Mary March 24-25.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH RYAN SWANSON
"We were very rusty but got better every day while we were here. The goal is to continue to do that every day until Atlantic 10 Championships. We're looking forward to getting ready for William & Mary."

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