The VCU Rams men’s golf team took the lead after the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship in Orlando, Fla., on Apr. 27. Freshman Carson Looney led the way with a bogey-free round of 67, finishing five under par and topping the individual leaderboard.
The strong start is important for VCU as they look to maintain their advantage through the remainder of the tournament. The team combined for a score of three under par (285), giving them a one-shot lead over George Mason after day one.
Looney’s performance included three consecutive birdies on holes No. 13, 14, and 15. Senior Braden O’Grady added an eagle on No. 2 and finished his round at one under par, placing him fifth overall. Senior Mason Minkel shot a one-over-par round and is currently fourteenth.
Other contributors included Zach Felts and Tanner Cadieux, who both posted rounds of two over par to tie for twenty-first place through eighteen holes.
VCU led all teams in Par 3 and Par 5 scoring during Monday’s first round, with averages of even par (3.00) on Par 3s and four-under (4.70) on Par 5s. The Rams also recorded sixty-two pars as a team—seven more than any other competitor.
Play will continue Tuesday with the second round of this fifty-four-hole tournament.
