Men's Golf | April 24, 2015

HARMONY, Fla. - Graduate student Tonny Aizpun tied a school record with a four-under 68 and sophomore PJ Acierno was also under par with a two-under 70 as the La Salle golf team opened play at the Atlantic 10 Championship at Harmony Preserve on Friday. The Explorers shot a 299 (+11), breaking a school record for most sub-300 rounds in a season, and stand in 10th place. 

"Those were two awesome rounds from Tonny and PJ," head coach Brad Kane said. "Tonny has been so close lately to having a round like that so it was great to see."

Aizpun had six birdies, including four straight on the back nine, for his 35-33=68 (-4). He birdied all four of the par fives and is tied for third after 18 holes.

"The course set up well for my game," Aizpun said. "I made some putts when I had to, and stayed confident and focused all day.  I came in playing well in our last few tournaments and knew I could put up a good number."

It ties the school record set by John Lorenzo on September 26, 2006 and Mike Johnson on March 17, 2012. Both rounds were at the George Washington Intercollegiate. It is the lowest score by an Explorer at the A-10 Championship in program history.

Acierno also had six birdies, which tied Aizpun for the most in the field, on his way to a 33-37=70 (-2). Four of his birdies came on the front nine in a span of six holes. Acierno is tied for sixth place. 

Senior Greg Goodreds shot a 39-38=77 (+5) with a pair of birdies and is tied for 42nd, while senior Justin Smith (84, +12) and sophomore Joe Markmann (85, +13) rounded out the Explorers' lineup.

"There's some mixed emotions for us since we were so close to something truly great but we're focusing on the positives. We can go even lower tomorrow."

Davidson (-4) leads the way after one round, followed by VCU (-2) and St. Bonaventure (E). Two players, Jack Persons of George Washington and Adam Ball of VCU, each shot 66s (-6). 

Play resumes on Saturday morning.