Golf

Averett, Vahvaselka Lead ODAC Contingent on First Day of NCAA Men's Golf

Averett's Antti Vahvaselka fired a 2-under 70 to open play at the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky. Photo Credit: Drew Wilson

Posted: May 16, 2023

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. --- Antti Vahvaselka carded a 2-under 70 to tied for 12th on the individual leader and lead nationally 18th-ranked Averett University to an ODAC-best 14th place showing following day one at the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships on Tuesday.

Play was delayed for all players with weather keeping the 221-player field from getting started at Keene Trace Golf Club. Once play began, the ODAC's group of three teams -- Averett, Guilford College, Washington and Lee University -- had strong days with on both of the tournaments courses -- Keene Run and Champion Trace. The Cougars competed on the par-72 Champion Trace track set to 6,974 yards, while the Quakers and Generals played their opening 18 holes on the par-72 Keene Run layout set to 6,701 yards.

All teams and players will card one set of 18 holes on each course over the first two rounds. After 36 holes are in the books, the tournament will be cut to the top 18 teams plus six individuals not on any of those qualifying teams. All ties will be broken by either sudden-death playoff or, if necessary, by the non sudden-death tiebreaking procedures set forth in the tournament's rules.

Vahvaselka was the top ODAC player over the opening 18 holes of play. His 2-under 70 included two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 511-yard fifth hole on the front nine and another birdie on the back. He sits three strokes back of leaders Brian Hanson from Emory University and Bobby Beaubien from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Averett sits 14th on the 43-squad team table at 7-over 295, two strokes ahead of Guilford tied for 16th with Transylvania University at 9-over 297. Washington and Lee is tied for 25th at 19-over 307 with Middlebury College.

AVERETT UNIVERSITY
Round 1: 14th at 295 (+7) on Champion Trace

Antti Vahvaselka | 70 (-2)
Max Pettersson | 74 (+2)
Caleb Kimbrough | 74 (+2)
Killian O'Reilly | 77 (+5)
Casper Mellby | 78 (+6)

GUILFORD COLLEGE
Round 1: T-16th at 297 (+9) on Keene Run

Michael Vick | 72 (E)
Sam Davidson | 73 (+1)
Evan Mendyk | 73 (+1)
James Alden | 79 (+7)
Parker Cumbea | 79 (+7)

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY
Round 1: t-25th at 307 (+19) on Keene Run

Owen Malcolm | 75 (+3)
Walker McPhail | 75 (+3)
Will Braxton | 77 (+5)
Pierce Robinson | 80 (+8)
Cannon Crane | 85 (+13)