CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - The Stetson Hatters Men's Golf Team kicked off their season with a strong performance at the Golfweek Collegiate Kickoff, held at the challenging Dalhousie Country Club in Cape Girardeau, MO, from September 4th to September 5th. The tournament, played on a Par 72 course spanning 7389 yards, saw the Hatters display their prowess, securing a commendable third-place finish.

Over the course of the tournament, the Hatters showcased their skill, posting impressive round scores of 286, 278, and 295, culminating in a total score of 859, a remarkable 5-under-par performance. In the final standings, Stetson trailed only behind the formidable LSU and Missouri teams, convincingly outperforming Ball State by a six-stroke margin.

Leading the charge for the Hatters was senior standout, John Houchin, who demonstrated his mettle by finishing in 9th place with a score of 2-under-par. Houchin's consistent performance shone through with rounds of 72, 67, and 75.

Notably, Javier Calles, Truman Keppy, and Matt Gauntlett all delivered remarkable performances, finishing tied for 14th place with scores of 1-over-par. Additionally, the team's newcomer, Dominic Clemons, exhibited great promise, finishing tied for 19th at 2-over-par.

Stetson's performance was rounded out by Bradley Goldstein and Mason Quagliata, who participated as individuals and finished T-36th and T-44th, respectively.

When it came to specific aspects of the game, the Hatters excelled in several areas. They dominated on Par 3s, averaging an impressive 3.08 strokes. Stetson also led all competing teams with a total of 176 pars and ranked fifth with 47 birdies. Notably, Javier Calles contributed significantly by delivering an eagle during the tournament.

Keppy stood out with his exceptional performance on Par 3s, averaging an impressive 2.83 strokes and finishing at 2-under-par overall on Par 3s. John Houchin was the par-master of the tournament, recording a staggering 40 pars. Dominic Clemons and Matt Gauntlett followed closely with 35 and 34 pars, respectively.

When it came to birdies, Quagliata and Keppy made their mark with 12 birdies each. Goldstein wasn't far behind with 11 birdies and two remarkable eagles.

With this strong start to the season, the Stetson Hatters men's golf team has set a high standard for their upcoming competitions. Fans can look forward to seeing them in action at the 2023 VCU Shootout at the Country Club of Virginia - Tuckahoe Creek on September 18th and 19th. The team's performance at the Golfweek Collegiate Kickoff serves as a promising indication of their potential for success in the tournaments ahead.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.

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