MONROE, N.C. - - Tyler Cleaves shot a 71 (-1) in the third round of the 23rd Annual Hargett Memorial Invitational on Tuesday as the Wilmington University golf team finished 14th overall in the three-round tournament hosted by Wingate at the Rolling Hills Country Club.
The Wildcats shot rounds of 315-305-311 for a 931 (+67), finishing in 14th of 16 teams. Grand Valley State was the only team that shot under par for the tournament, shooting an 863 (-1) to win the two-day, three-round tournament. Belmont Abbey finished second with an 882 (+18).
Tyler Cleaves moved up 20 spots into a tie for 19th overall on Tuesday with his 71 (-1), finishing the tournament with rounds of 78-74-71 for a 223 (+7). He started the third round with a birdie on hole 13 but then bogeyed the 18th to make the short turn at even par. After four pars, Cleaves bogeyed the par three fifth but immediately erased that with a birdie on the par five sixth. He also birdied the par five ninth before finishing his round with three pars for his 71. He finished tied for fifth in the tournament on all par five holes, going four-under for the tournament. He also finished eighth overall with 37 pars in three rounds.
Nathan Potts shot a 78 on Tuesday to close out his tournament in a tie for 86th overall. He posted rounds of 83-82-78 for a 243 (+27). Blake Ramirez shot a 79 on Tuesday to move up a spot to 93rd overall. Ramirez shot rounds of 82-87-79 for a 248 (+32) this week. Pablo Quintero shot an 83 on Tuesday, but was the second Wildcats on the leaderboard in a tie for 74th overall after rounds of 79-76-83 for a 238 (+22).
Matthew Pulgini was in a tie for 19th after two rounds on Monday, but did not participate in Tuesday's final round.
The second ranked player in NCAA DII Charles Delong won medalist honors by five strokes. The Grand Valley State player shot rounds of 69-69-68 for a 206 (-10).
The Wildcats are back in action next month as they head to Miami Beach, Florida, to participate in the Battle at the Shores hosted by Barry University. The first two rounds are scheduled for Monday, April 3, at the Normandy Shores Golf Club.