Pirates Finish 12th At Sea Best Invitational

Monday, February 3

Ponte Vedra, Fla.

All Day

East Carolina University

Sea Best Invitational

February 04, 2020 | Men's Golf

Complete Results (PDF)Complete Results (Golfstat.com)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The East Carolina men's golf team was unable to overcome its first round struggles Monday, posting a 285 in the final of the 2020 Sea Best Invitational on Tuesday to finish tied for 12th in the 14-team field.

After shooting 21-over-par 301 in the opening round of the play, the Pirates bounced back to shoot a combined 11-over-par in the second and third rounds (285-286=571). ECU recorded the eighth-lowest score of the final two rounds.

"I am pleased with how our team score improved every round but when you shoot 21 over in the first round it ruins your chance at a good finish," ECU Head Coach Andrew Sapp said. "Blake [Taylor] had a solid tournament and a nice final round 69 to lead us."

Texas A&M took home the team title with a three round total of 13-under-par 827 (281-272-274). The Aggies trailed first-place Florida by six strokes after the first round, but posted an 8-under-par in round two to overtake the Gators and recorded a two-stroke victory over their SEC rival.

Florida's Ricky Castillo captured medalist honors with an 8-under-par 202 (70-67-65), three shots better than his teammate John Axelsen (68-69=68=205). Castillo had 34 pars, 13 birdies and one eagle against five bogeys and one double-bogey.

Senior Blake Taylor was the top finished in the events for the Pirates, posting a final round score of 69 to move up 11 spots into a tie for 22nd after shooting a combined 3-over-par during the first two rounds on Monday. Taylor sank five birdie putts Tuesday after recording just one Monday.

Senior Patrick Stephenson as well as sophomores A.J. Beechler and Attie Giles each shot 2-over-par 72 in the final round. Beechler finished the tournament tied for 49th at 8-over-par 218 (76-70-72), Stephenson was 59th at 13-over-par (76-76-72=223) and Giles 66th at 29-over-par (78-77=72).

Senior Tim Bunten finished three strokes ahead Giles, tied for 61st 14-over-par 224 (77-70-77). Redshirt sophomore Jimbo Stanley, playing as an individual, finished at 19-over par 239 (70-87-82).

The Pirates will return to the links Feb. 16 – 18 at the Puerto Classic.