The opening day of the Hartford Hawk Invitational began with senior Brandon Matthews trying to make a run up the leaderboard after his first round two-over-par 74.
Early in his second round, Matthews pulled a muscle in his back forcing him to withdraw from the round, putting his status for Tuesday’s final round in question.
After the first two rounds of the tournament at Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Connecticut, Temple men’s golf is tied for 18th with Massachusetts-Lowell with a total team score of 624. Connecticut leads the 20-team field with an overall team score of 565.
Setting the pace for the Owls was highly touted freshman recruit Trey Wren. The Suffolk, Virginia native carded a one-over 73 in his first collegiate round and a 77 in round two to place 42nd overall after the first day. Sophomore John Barone followed with two consecutive 78’s to place in 73rd.
Fellow sophomore Mark Farley shot rounds of 75 and 83 to place 82nd and Freshman Gary McCabe of rounded out the group with a 75 and an 89 to place 102nd respectively after day one.
Four out of the top five starters for the tournament are underclassmen. Missing from the lineup was sophomore Evan Thornton who was a starter for the Owls last season.
The Owls will look to make a move up the leaderboard for tomorrows final round at the 6,992 yard, Par 72 venue as their fall season begins.
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