ORLANDO, Fla. – The St. Bonaventure golf team steadily improved over the week of action at the Atlantic 10 Championship but could not overcome a first day hole as the Bonnies finished competition 10th to wrap up the season.

The Bonnies ended the tournament on a high note by firing a team score of 286, fourth-best in the field during Wednesday's round. The final round was a 10-shot improvement over Tuesday's 296 which in itself was a dramatic come back from a frustrating Monday final of 317.

Richmond captured the team title and automatic NCAA Tournament bid with a winning total of 850, 10 shots clear of runner-up George Mason. VCU (865), Rhode Island (866) and George Washington (867) were also in the top-five.

Senior Michael Bucko bounced back from a difficult opening round of 81 to improve by 10 shots on Tuesday with 1-under 71, followed by a sparkling final round of 3-under 69 to complete his standout Bona career. One year removed from a top-10 championship finish, Bucko took a tie for 24th with a final total of 5-over 221.

Freshman Colin Barber also got better and better over the tournament, responding from his own opening round 81 to shoot 74 on day two before a strong 2-under 70 effort in Wednesday's final round.

Barber tied with senior teammate Gabe Williams for 37th on the individual leaderboard with a 225 total. Williams carded 4-over 76 on Monday before his tournament-best effort of 2-over 74 on Tuesday. He finished his Bonnies career with 75 on Wednesday to stand 9-over for the tournament.

The third member of Bona's senior class, Caleb Decker registered a 228 total for the week following rounds of 79-77 and even-par 72 on the 7,135-yard layout at the Evermore Resort Cypress Course as he ended his Bonaventure career with a steady performance.

Sophomore Braddock Damore (81-80) and freshman Tyler Berkman (75) also saw time in the lineup with Berkman firing 3-over on Wednesday.

TEAM RESULTS
1. Richmond – 850
2. George Mason – 860
3. VCU – 865
4. Rhode Island – 866
5. George Washington – 867
6. Dayton – 873
7. Davidson – 878
8. Loyola-Chicago – 889
9. Saint Joseph's – 894
10. St. Bonaventure – 899
11. La Salle – 906
12. Fordham – 907

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH PATRICK DAMORE
"We finished the season on a high note. After our worst start of the year, we bounced back in the final two rounds. Our strong finish was sparked by Michael Bucko and Caleb Decker who went out on really high notes. Freshman Colin Barber was impressive as well.

"We have a strong core returning next fall to fill the void of our senior's departures as we will return three starters in Colin, Braddock Damore and Tyler Berkman."

------ 
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get golf updates @BonniesGolf. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Golf can be found on Instagram @BonniesMGolf.