Flames Win Invitational

It has been five years since Liberty University hosted its own golf tournament, and the men’s golf team showed why this should change after notching a 2-0 victory.

Liberty hosted its Match Play Invitational at the Poplar Grove Golf Course Saturday, April 5 with nearby Virginia schools James Madison, George Mason and Radford University.

The tournament had a chilly start as Liberty defeated George Mason 5-1 in the morning flight. With the weather not as warm and with the wind blowing, the Patriots had a difficult time staying even.

The Flames took advantage of the poor play by shooting consistently throughout the morning. Liberty made key birdies when the opportunity presented itself and stayed focused despite the strong winds.

Because of the many mistakes by George Mason, Liberty was able to secure its first matchup of the day by playing the course. The Flames never put themselves in risky positions, bagging pars and posting lows scores on makeable holes.

B.J. Kuhn took part of the spotlight in the morning play, chipping in for eagle on the par-5, 524-yard No. 12 hole and defeating Wes Liu of George Mason 9 and 7.

Ian McConnell led the way for the Flames in his pairing, taking advantage of his opponent Kyle Hart’s costly double bogeys in a 2 and 1 victory. McConnell rattled in four birdies, which were the key count of nine total birdies that Liberty had in the morning flight.

As the temperature rose, so did the play of Liberty in the afternoon matchup against James Madison University. Birdie opportunities presented themselves all over the course.

Contrary to the first morning match, the Flames drove the ball well, which made way for makeable under-par putts. Liberty totaled 19 birdies in the afternoon flight, which was more than double the number of the first flight. With birdies rolling in all over the course, Liberty was able to bounce back on the back nine and secure a 4-2 victory.

Despite building on his success from the morning match with four birdies, McConnelll lost his match.

Chase Marinell also bagged in five crucial under-par opportunities against his pair James Madison’s Ryan Cole beating him 1 up.

Niklas Lindstorm also found his stroke on the back nine, making three birdies out of his last five holes for four in a 3 and 1 win against the Dukes Jon Weiss in the afternoon flight.
Liberty will play its last season tournament of the year at Ohio State University’s home golf course Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13.

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