NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Leading his team with a 70 (-2) on Tuesday, freshman golfer Enrique Valverde was named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Week by the conference office on Wednesday.
The freshman helped the team to an eighth place finish at the GolfRank Invitational at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., hosted by Nova Southeastern on Monday and Tuesday. Valverde (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), finished in a tie for 25th, but moved up 12 spots with his 70 (-2) in the third and final round.
Valverde led the Wildcats with a 75 in the first round on Monday, finishing the day with a 76 in the afternoon for a first day score of 151 (+7). The freshman then went on to sink five birdies on Tuesday, including three in his first six holes to lead the team once again in the final round.
For the tournament, Valverde went 75-76-70 for a 221 (+5), competing against six nationally ranked teams.
Valverde and the Wildcats head west for their next three tournaments, first competing at the Otter Fall Invitational in Seaside, Calif., hosted by CSU Monterey Bay. The three-round, two-day tournament begins on Monday, October 16.