GolfNewsRI

The University of Rhode Island golf team finished in third place at the National Golf Invitational out in Arizona this weekend. 

The Rams finished the tournament at 27-under par, one shot better than Nevada and two shots better than Wyoming for solo third. 

“This tournament mirrored our semester – signs of true greatness and signs of very little toughness. That said, with six holes to play we were plus five and tied for fifth. Tony (Liu) and Josiah (Tong) put us on their backs and both went three red down the stretch. Hats off to Josiah for coming in sixth overall as well,” Head Coach Gregg Burke told GolfNewsRI. 

Tong finished the tournament at nine-under for the week and in a tie for sixth place overall. 

He posted back-to-back 67s and a final round 73. 

Liu finished in 22nd overall, but closed the final round strong with an eagle on the 13th hole and a birdie on the 16th. 

Rounding out the Rhody scoring was Tyler Bruneau and Aidan O’Donovan, who each finished in a tie for 24th. 

Luke Stennett finished in a tie for 33rd. 

The tournament was won by Grand Canyone at 52-under par.

Missouri finished second at 38-under par.

Scoring HERE

O’Donovan’s Collegiate Career Comes to Close

For O’Donovan, this marks the end of his collegiate career. 

“Aidan grew as much as anyone we’ve had here. He turned into a solid student who will leave here as a two-time All-American Scholar. He leaves the golf program when it rose to the best in New England by every measure. His legacy will be the catalyst that brought this team together to a closeness behind description. He has my respect for that,” said Burke. 

O’Donovan played all four years for the Rams and served as the Captain this season, helping Rhody to four wins in the fall season and another appearance at the National Golf Invitational. 

“He was a tremendously consistent and valued #3 player for us who contributed his score to our team score virtually every round we played,” added Burke. 

URI at NGI

This was URI’s second straight appearance at the National Golf Invitational in Arizona. 

The tournament is run by GolfWeek. 

“It was an honor to be invited by Golfweek, but a bigger honor to have the great Lance Ringler, a legitimate legend in college golf, be the reason we’re here,” said Burke. 

“After a 4th place finish last year, Rhode Island places third at this year’s NGI. Coach Burke has built a competitive program evident by the teams performance here in Arizona. If the Rams don’t win the league’s AQ next year I expect them to be a team to challenge again at the NGI,” Ringler told GolfNewsRI.

Last year, the Rams finished fourth overall, and this year they took third after traveling the furtherest of any team in the field. 

“We took a lot of pride in being the team furthest away from the coldest climate, from a smaller golf league than most, and having the smallest golf budget. We use those things as inspiration and this tournament showed a to of people that URI has a nationally recognized program,” said Burke. 

He added, “Finally, sincere appreciation to our booster club which paid every expense involved with this event. More than any group, we hope we represented you well and made you proud.”