VERONA, N.Y. (9/3/2018) -- Freshman
James Hill didn't show any signs being a rookie in his collegiate debut as the Titan solidified a top-10 finish with a 3-under 69 in the final round of the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate on Monday.
As a team, Detroit Mercy made a run into the top three before placing fifth overall with an 886 (295-298-293), just behind Boston College' (885) and Bethune-Cookman (884). Host Missouri won the event with an 848, while North Dakota State was second totaling an 877 at the Par 72, 6,882-yard course.
Hill claimed seventh carding a 3-under 214 (74-71-69), the best score by a Titan since 2016 and first Detroit Mercy freshman to record under par in a tournament since 2012
He ended his first career tournament by birdying three of his first seven holes and then ended it in style knocking in four-straight birdies before going par-par on his final two holes for his 3-under 69 performance.Â
Sophomore
Jonathan Brillati took 24th overall with a career-best 222 (72-74-76), which included tying his career low in a round with an even-par 72 on the opening 18.Â
The Titans will be back in action in two weeks when the red, white and blue compete in the Crusader Collegiate from Sept. 17-18.Â
Titan Scorecard:
5 - Detroit Mercy - 886 (295-298-293)
7th –
James Hill – 214 (74-71-69)
24 -
Jonathan Brillati – 222 (72-74-76)
T27 -
Scott Sparks – 224 (74-76-74)
T42 -
Zack Tenerowicz – 227 (76-77-74)
51 -
Drew Tucci - 229 (75-77-77)
Here is a recap of the action at the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate:
- The Titans' 886 is the best 54-hole score since the 881 at last year's Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate and the best season opener since they totaled an 886 at the 2013 Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate
- Last season, Detroit Mercy shot a 966 at the event making this an 80-stroke improvement from 2017
- Hill's 214 is tied for the 23rd lowest score in school history and lowest by a Titan since Kyle Gaines' 213 at the 2016 CSU Invitational
- The last Titan freshman to finish a tournament under par was Lucas Kim with a 143 (71-72) in the 36-hole Butler Invite in 2012
- Hill was also the first Titan rookie to go under par in his collegiate debut since Gaines knocked in a 2-under 70 in the second round at Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate in 2013, while his 145 score on opening day was the lowest by a Titan since Kim had a 144 (72-72) at the Michigan Wolverine Intercollegiate in 2011
- Hill led the team with 38 pars, tied for second overall in the tournament, and was second on the squad with 10 birdies, tied for 17th in the field
- His -2, 3.93 average on the course's par 4's led the team and was tied for third in the event
- Brillati's previous career low was a 227 at last year's Motown Collegiate, where he also had an even-par 72 in the second round
- He led the team with 12 birdies, good for a share of ninth in the competition
- Brillati played the course's par 3's to a -3, 2.75 average, tied for first in the field
- Tucci's previous career low was a 232 at the 2017 Motown Collegiate
- Tucci also knocked in 36 pars, second on the team and tied for 11th among all players
- Tenerowicz had Detroit Mercy's only eagle, putting in his third shot on the par 5 first hole in the second round
- Sparks (-3, 4.75) and Tenerowicz (-2, 4.83) were among the top 20 in the tournament for par 5 scoring average
Coach LaFave's Take
- "We played nicely today, unfortunately, let a few slip late in the round, but we'll certainly take a solid top-five finish like this and build from here."
- "I'm very excited to see where this team can get to this year, as our talent is deep. I feel like we have the ability to be in the mix in every event."
- "Great stuff from Jimmy Hill! He should feel really good about this debut as it's definitely one of the best in Titan history.Â
- "The rest of the guys played with grit, and we collectively made fewer mistakes this weekend than any event last year. We will get back to work this week and be ready to compete for a win at Valparaiso."
