Statesmen Take Third at Statesmen Invitational

Silvis, Ill.--The William Penn men's golf team did battle on a professional course Monday and Tuesday as it hosted The Statesmen at TPC Deere Run.

The Statesmen placed third out of five teams with a two-round score of 627 (310-317).  TPC Deere Run, a par-71 course, is the host site of the John Deere Classic which is on the PGA Tour schedule.

Central took first at 594 (296-298), while Lincoln Eighmy of the Dutch topped the 30-golfer field with a score of 141 (75-66).

Mario Palain (Fr., Zaragoza, Spain, Business Management) led the way for William Penn, tying for fourth overall with a score of 148 (73-75). Palain finished the first day just two strokes over par, and was then even-par through the first nine holes on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, he faltered a bit over the final nine holes of competition.

Next for the Statesmen was Alvaro Rodriguez (So., Gijon, Spain, Business Management), who placed 12th, and then Archie Branks (Fr., Sydney, Australia, Sports Management), who tied for 15th. Rodriguez did so after shooting a 157 (77-80), while Branks scored a 159 (77-82).

Tying for 24th was Samuel Arnaud (Fr., Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France, Biology), who posted an 83 on Monday and an 84 in the second round for a total of 167.

Clay Morse (Jr., Sigourney, Business Management) rounded out the lineup for William Penn after scoring 175 (88-87), which tied for 27th overall.

The top individual for the Statesmen, Tyler Pedretti (So., Upland, Calif., Business Management), placed 18th overall at 181 (74-87). 

"We played a great and iconic course this week in TPC Deere Run," Head Coach Darin Fisher said.  "The kids had some really good stretches of play in this event, but we just couldn't keep the momentum going for a full round. We have to find a way to avoid digging ourselves into holes after the first round.  We've done a good job starting off Day 2 well, but I think the pressure of having to play too perfect is getting to us."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Smithville, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Heart Preview at Paradise Pointe Golf Course.