Richmond closes fall chapter with lowest round of the season

The University of Richmond men’s golf team shot 10-under-par at the Monterrey Collegiate Classic held in Monterrey, Mexico Oct. 24 and 25, tying for second place.

Taking a trip across the border, the team played under the southern heat at Club Campestre Monterrey.

“The travel and cultural experience in Mexico was fantastic,” Head Coach Adam Decker said in a press release. “It’s the kind of trip that will make lifelong memories for the team. ”

The Spiders battled through three rounds of play, staying neck-and-neck with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Richmond only trailed one team, Virginia Commonwealth University dominating the 12-team pool with a 30-under-par. 

The Spiders started off the first round with a steady kick, with three players shooting under par. Sophomore Carson Baez came out of the gate running, earning himself an eagle on the first hole, a straight alley par-5. 

Despite earning five birdies throughout the round, Baez picked up a double bogey and three bogies that brought him to 2-under-par when he stepped off the 18th green. Junior Jack LaPiana also carded a 2-under-par while senior Quin Polin led the team with 4-under-par. 

After the first round, scores steadily went up for Richmond as the Spiders struggled through the course. Baez and Polin kept up, both shooting under par, but the rest, LaPiana and senior Drew Carlin, found themselves above the line. 

“For me, my putter was the highlight for once. I felt like my game was in a similar spot to recent weeks, but managed to focus a bit better and continue to decimate the par 5’s to get myself in the mix,” X said. “I feel a bit disappointed coming up short knowing how many opportunities I had and easy mistakes slip up, but it’s always a good feeling knowing I know what the issue is and how I can attack it,” Baez said. 

UTRGV also fell behind, Richmond only one shot behind going into the final round. 

The only Spider to not pick up a double bogey in the third round was LaPiana. On the other hand, he shot a bogey on hole 10, making him the only Spider to not birdie the hole. Baez, Carlin and LaPiana marked even par on their score cards, Polin’s 1-under-par tipping Richmond under par as a team. 

The round solidified a 10-under-par final score for Richmond, the lowest of the fall season. Polin led the team with a 7-under-par that earned him a tie for second on the individual leaderboard. The score also marked his lowest in his collegiate career. 

“I’m happy for Quin to have his highest finish to date. He’s gotten better each year and I’m looking forward to him continuing that trend,” Decker said.

Following just one shot behind with a 6-under-par, Baez tied for sixth place. 

“For me, my putter was the highlight for once,” Baez said in a press release. “I felt like my game was in a similar spot to recent weeks, but managed to focus a bit better and continue to decimate the par 5’s to get myself in the mix. I feel a bit disappointed coming up short knowing how many opportunities I had and easy mistakes slip up, but it’s always a good feeling knowing I know what the issue is and how I can attack it.”

This tournament marked the end of fall season for Richmond. The Spiders will pick back up on Feb. 9 for the Lake Jovita Invitational, giving them practice time. 

“The team battled all fall,” Baez said in a press release. “We had a handful of rounds that weren’t our best, but also had a handful that show exactly what we’re made of. I think I can speak for each of us when I say if we can hone in the same vibe we have playing at home when it’s relaxed and not so uptight, that’s when we play our best.”

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu