Kyrin Mayfield

Men’s Golf Makes Incredible Third-Round Comeback to Win Daytona Beach Spring Invitational

3/7/2023 6:59:00 PM | By: Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Results
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - For the first time since the 2015 Bash at the Beach, the Embry-Riddle men's golf team stood alone at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the final round. The Eagles used a 286, tied for the tenth-lowest round in program history, to jump from twelve shots back in eighth to first during round three to claim the 2023 Daytona Beach Spring Invitational, a tournament that included 17 NCAA I teams. It was the lowest round from any team in the tournament. Including first and second round scores of 303 and 290, the Eagles needed just 879 strokes to play through 54 holes, tied for the seventh lowest three-round score in the history of the program. Play was held at LPGA International and hosted by Eastern Kentucky.

"It's the same golf course that we won our last event on, so it's very special," said Head Coach Ken Staton. "I think it's a motivator for the guys to win and to know what it feels like. That's when you have the most fun is when you win."

Embry-Riddle finished one stroke ahead of Loyola-Chicago (294-297-289=880) and Longwood (296-292-292=880). North Dakota State (292-299-290=881) and Long Island (293-288-302=883) rounded out a tightly-packed top five.

Ryan Hart (69-68-70=207) of Florida was the top individual.

When the final Eagle traversed the 18th hole, the Eagles were still three shots out of the lead in fourth, although all teams ahead were still playing. However, due to the tough nature of the course, ERAU's deficit began to shrink. The squads in front started to slide back until Embry-Riddle was in second, one stroke behind Longwood with a few holes left to play. A double bogey on the 17th from a Lancer put the Eagles ahead for good to claim the tournament title.

ERAU thrived on par-5 holes, averaging 4.83 strokes (-10), tied for the second-lowest average in the field. Although, the team also played consistently, notching 172 pars.

Ian Aldarondo (73-73-67=213) led the charge with the program's 16th round at or below 67. He finished fifth for his seventh-career top-five placement and third of the season. Most notably, Aldarondo beat Tyler Wilkes of Florida, the 54th-ranked golfer in the NCAA I according to Golfstat. The senior led the team in birdies with four and also recorded an eagle on the par-5, 531-yard hole No. 14. In total, Aldarondo tallied a squad-high 10 birdies throughout the tournament, tied for the eighth-most in the 116-player field. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native was among the best in the tournament on par-5s, averaging 4.58 strokes per hole, tied for the second lowest average. He also succeeded on par-4s, tying for the sixth-best average in the competition.

Michael Faringer (79-71-72=222) and Georgios Pachiadakis (75-71-76=222) tied for 28th individually. For Pachiadakis, it was a season-best placement and three-round score. He led the team in average strokes on par-3s (3.08) and was tied for 12th overall. As for Faringer, it was his third top-30 result of the 2022-23 season. The junior started the round strong with a birdie on the opening hole and proceeded to par 16 of the next 17.

Aleksandar Abrashev (77-76-72=225) notched his best round on Tuesday thanks to a below-par front nine (-1). It was the freshman's best closing round of his young career and tied for his lowest 54-hole score.

Tiago Barni (78-75-75=228) was the only member of the Blue and Gold to earn a birdie in the last four holes, and that late sub-par score on the 17th turned out to be crucial in the Eagles' win.

John Triplett (73-70-76=219), Beau Coenraad (76-78-79=233), and Ethan Diamadi (78-75-86=239) competed as individuals.

Triplett had a fantastic first day, sitting tied for seventh heading into the final round. Though he moved backward slightly at the end of day two, the senior placed in a tie for 11th, his best finish in just over three years thanks to his season-best 70 in round two. Triplett parred 38 of a possible 54 holes, the most on the team and tied for the sixth most in the field.

The Eagles head back out to the course next week for the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate hosted by Valdosta State from March 13-14. All three rounds will be played at the Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, the same course that Aldarondo competed on during the 2022 NCAA II South/Southeast Regional.

The 2022-23 Embry-Riddle Men's Golf season is presented by Tijuana Flats.

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