Photo Courtesy of JU Athletics

The Men’s golf team showcased their talents this past weekend at the Linger Longer Invitational at Reynolds Plantation. In the first round of match play on Sunday, March 27, JU struggled posting a 21-over par and shooting an overall 309. This was due to a weak finish to the day, and caused them to be tied for 12^th by the end of the first round.

The Great Waters Course at the invitational was a little more generous to the golf team in the second round.

The Dolphins were led by Jamey Salmon who personally jumped up 23 spots after shooting a one-under 71. JU shot a 292 in this round and moved into 10^th place after day two of action.

In the final day of action Tuesday, March 29, junior Bobby Fredeking brought his big boy clubs to the invitational. He carded a three under par 69, with three birdies and 15 pars to piece together his best performance of the year. The team as a whole shot a 14-over par, 302, and this caused them to drop one spot to finish 11^th overall. Senior Gavin Frost had the second best outing for JU carding a three-over par 75. JU head coach Mike Blackburn discussed what the team needs to work on for its next match play.

“We’re going to look at how we finish rounds this week because we have lost a lot of shots in the last few holes this week,” Blackburn said.

The Dolphins will try to fix their late match woes on April 8 when they participate in the River Landing Intercollegiate.

The Women’s Golf team played at the inaugural World Golf Village Intercollegiate on April 3 and 4. In the first round JU was on a tear. The Lady Fins shot a strong 309, and locked down second place after day one. Kristen Boettcher carried the Dolphins shooting a 75, and a 79.

In the second round JU wasn’t as successful, posting a 330 and dropping 5 spots to seventh place. Daytona State led the field after two rounds on the Slammer & Squire Golf Course.

The final day of action was canceled due to storms in the area. This caused Daytona State to take the early crown at the WGV Intercollegiate. Senior Meghan Hughes talked about the event that was cut short.

“We played solid in the first round, but didn’t really come through as good as we wanted to in the second round, I just really wish we could have played the final round to redeem our top half positioning,” Hughes said.

The Fins get back to it on April 11 for the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship at Victoria Hills Country Club.

The Jacksonville University Men’s Golf team had a busy weekend, as they competed at the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Mark Bostick Golf Course.

On the first day of action, Saturday Feb. 12, the dolphins shot a 30-over par, and an overall 310 in the opening round. They quickly cleaned up their act in the second round by shooting 21-over par, and a 301. The fins were led by Junior Bobby Fredeking who shot an even par in the first round but then recorded a six-over par 76 in round two, tying for 25^th after 36 holes. JU Men’s Golf Head Coach Mike Blackburn commented on his team’s first two rounds.

“We didn’t play as well as we liked today, but we kept fighting, this is a great learning experience for our guys as we continue to build this spring,” Blackburn said.

Top-Ranked University of Florida led the 14-team Invitational at the end of two rounds shooting three-over par.

The Final round of action continued the next day on Feb. 13, as the fins were once again by Fredeking’s strong play. He carded a one-under par, 69, to place 11^th in the event. His performance shot the dolphins up the ranks on the final day due to a 10-over par outing by JU. This helped pass the likes of Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Mississippi State. Sophomore Trey Douglas carded a five-over par 75, which was his best outing of the event.

“The team chemistry is as high as it’s ever been; we’ve got a great schedule with tons of opportunity,” Douglas said. “We hope to compete with the best teams in the nation and win the conference title.”

JU hopes to build on their solid finish, during their next outing Feb. 27 at the John Hayt Intercollegiate at Sawgrass Country Club.