DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's golf team competed in the Gary Freeman Invitational and women's golf team competed in the LadyCat Invitational both hosted by Bethune-Cookman University on March 12. The Maryland Eastern Shore men finished 7^th, the women finished 12th in the event.

This was the third tournament of the spring season and seventh tournament of the 2019-20 season for both teams.

The event was cut from 54-holes to 36-holes by tournament officials due to the dual announcement both made by the MEAC and the NCAA to suspend the spring 2020 season effective immediately out of concern for student-athletes and other personnel's health and safety for the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic.

Announcements can be found here:
https://meacsports.com/news/2020/3/12/about-the-meac-meac-announces-suspension-of-all-sports-competitions.aspx
http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships

Course conditions were quick and firm, with mild temperatures for March over the two rounds of play at LPGA International – Jones Course. Junior Austin Dillon (Bishopville, Maryland) led the charge for The Shore posting both rounds in the 70s, 76+73=149 (+5) finishing in 11^th out of 48 players from seven different universities.

"It was a solid day on the course, but I had a sloppy double bogey on the 16^th hole during the first round," said Dillon. "Other than that it was a pretty good performance. I just need to work on my par-five scoring and I think I'll be ready for the next event."

Freshman Thabang Moephuli (Johannesburg, South Africa) posted two consistent rounds in the 80s improving his play from the previous tournament. He finished the tournament in a tie for 32^nd after shooting 81+82=163 (+13). Sophomore Brant Gillespie (Belvedere, South Carolina) finished just three spots below his fellow Hawk after posting 83+82=165 (+21) to finish in 35^th. Sophomore Paul Kerner (Crofton, Maryland) finished in 37^th shooting 84+85=169 (+25).

In his unexpected final tournament as a Maryland Eastern Shore Hawk, senior captain Young Lee (Mount Airy, Maryland) was forced to withdraw from the event due to an injury after just 12 holes into the first round.

"It's been a fun ride and I gave it everything I had," Lee said. "I'm sad it has to end like this and I'm really going to miss it all. Also, I can't wait to see what the future holds for this team. I see a lot of potential and I'll be watching!"

The other Hawks participating in the field as individuals were junior Cam Smith (Mount Airy, Maryland) who placed in 43^rd, junior Jacques Blue (Fayetteville, North Carolina) finished in 45^th, junior Cameron Barton (Temple Hills, Maryland) round out the field in 46^rd.

Freshman Jayden Williams (Jacksonville, Florida) sat out for round one of the Gary Freeman Invitational due to a lingering lower body injury from the previous tournament but was able to tee it up for the second round posting 86 (+14) finishing in 48^th.

On the women's side, playing on the LPGA International – Hills Course, sophomore Briahna Willis (Little Rock, Arkansas) posted a pair of 80s, 86+87=173 (+29), to finish in a tie for 56^th in a field of 71 from 12 different universities.

"It was a tough day out there," said Willis. "But all around it was a pretty good season and going forward all I can do now is get better and train harder. If I work on a few things in the off-season my game will be a lot more consistent for the fall."

Senior captain Sumayah Arcusa (Bowie, Maryland) struggled during the first round finishing the event in tie for 62^nd after posting 96+89=185 (+17). Also, finishing in a tie 62^nd was junior Morgan Miner (Fort Washington, Maryland) completing her final tournament of the season 91+94=185 (+22).

Freshman Sheridan Graves (Detroit, Michigan) placed in tie for 65^th. Sophomore Nyla Sims (West Palm Beach, Florida) had to withdraw from round one due to a playing violation but was able to tee it up for round two and finished the event in 69^th. 

Departing Maryland Eastern Shore after three seasons is senior Kayla Wiggins (Washington D.C.) who was not in competition in Florida.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent the Hawks over these last three years," said Wiggins. "I've learned a lot and had fun along the way."

"In lieu of societal responsibility I think the NCAA made the right call to cancel winter sports and championships." said Women's Head Coach Billy Dillon. "I would have liked to have seen a postponement of spring sports, but since we are in a situation of not knowing what we don't know, I believe erring on the side of caution is the best think for everyone. I feel disappointment for those seniors that have to end their career this way and hope the NCAA will find some way to extend those seniors at least an extra semester and leave it to them to accept or decline, but it would nice for them to have an option. We will see what happens."

Both the men's and women's teams will tee it up again in the Fall for the 2020-21 season due to the early cancelation of the season.

For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.