GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Led by four players finishing in the top 20, the Georgia Southern men's golf team posted a third-place finish at the Gators Invitational played this weekend at the Mark Bostick Golf Course on the campus of the University of Florida.

In the first round, the Eagles shot a 279, the best first-round team score of the season. Parker Claxton birdied two of the final two holes to card a team-low 67. His five birdies also led the squad. Brantly Baker (68; -2) and Pierce Adamson (69; -1) also shot under par to help put the Eagles in the top five. The team rolled right into the second round and stayed hot, posting a 273. That number is the best second-round team score and the 551 is the lowest 36-hole team total of the season. The 8-under team score was the second-lowest total of the round, as well. Baker posted a career-low 65 with a clean card that included five birdies and put him in a tie for the individual lead. In all, four players finished the round at or under par, including Jones who had five birdies en route to a 67, and Claxton, who birdied three of his final four holes to get to even par. In all, the team recorded 23 birdies on the round.

Sunday's final round was played in adverse conditions as wind and strong wind moved through the area. Still, the Eagles managed to shoot a 285 to tie for third place. Luke Koenig shot a team-low 69, which included a team-high four birdies.

Overall, the 836 is the lowest 54-hole team total for the season and the Eagles picked up 10 wins, including one over #27 South Florida. Thirteenth-ranked Florida won the tournament with seventh-ranked Oklahoma State taking second. The Eagles tied with #66 Florida Gulf Coast for third place and finished higher than #30 Charlotte, #53 Furman, #80 West Virginia, #81 Liberty and #99 North Florida.

Three players (Baker, Claxton and Jones) finished the tournament at even par and finished T13th while Koenig was one shot back at +1 to finish T17th. Claxton led the way with 12 birdies (T6th in field) while Koenig had 11 (T10th in field) and Jones had 10 (T15th in field). Baker's 40 pars were the second-most in the tournament.

The team had the third-lowest average on the par 4s of anyone in the tournament and went -12 on the par 5s. The 172 pars were tied for thr fourth most in the event and the 46 birdies were the fourth most of the 14 teams.

Words from Coach Carter Collins:
"This was a really good week for the team in Gainesville. This course tests every part of your game and the guys did great from beginning to end. We had a ton of solid performances in tough conditions against a great field. The future is bright. Hail Southern!"

Gators Invitational - Feb. 15-16
Mark Bostick Golf Course • Par 70
Gainesville, Fla. • 14 teams, 78 individuals

Brantley Baker - 68-65-77=210 (E), T13
Parker Claxton - 67-70-73=210 (E), T13
Brycen Jones - 72-67-71=210 (E), T13
Luke Koenig - 72-70-69=211 (+1), T17
Pierce Adamson* - 69-76-72=217 (+7), T38
Edouard Cereto - 77-75-72=224 (+14), T68

*Played as an individual

Up Next: Georgia Southern will have two weeks off before competing in the Colleton River Collegiate March 2-3 as the Eagles look for their fourth straight win at that tournament.