WAYZATA, Minn., Sept. 9, 2012 - The Penn State men's golf team opened their season Sunday at the Spring Hill Golf Club for the Gopher Invitational in Wayzata, Minnesota. After the first round of play, the Nittany Lions were in 13th place with a 22-over-par score of 310. Nevertheless, Penn State was disqualified in the second round when sophomore Jens Talbert (Little Rock, Ark.) and freshman Chris Houston (Gilford, N.H.) failed to sign their scorecards.
Freshman Geoff Vartelas (Cromwell, Conn.) started his collegiate career strong, leading the way for the Nittany Lions recording a total 3-over-par score of 147. Vartelas jumped eleven places after round one, now sitting tied for 12th overall. He carded seven birdies and six bogeys on the day, while making shooting an impressive round of par-72 in the second round. Senior Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W. Va.) also had in strong second round with a 4-over-par score of 76 including two birdies and four bogeys. Woodward is placed tied for 46th overall.
Senior Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) sits tied at 64th overall after posting a 14-over-par total of 158. DeGol recorded a strong second round score of 72, which included 3 birdies and 5 bogeys.
In a surprising turn of events, the scores earned by Talbert and Houston in the second round were disqualified, resulting in a Penn State team diqualification from round two. In round one, Talbert and Houston both posted scores of 79. The Nittany Lions now sit unranked in the team standings after Day 1 of the Gopher Invitational.
Currently sitting high atop the leaderboard is California with a 12-under-par team total 564. California senior Max Homa is dominating the tournament at first place among the players with his remarkable 7-under-par 137 after two rounds.
Round 3 of the Invitational will begin Monday morning with tee times at 8:30 am. (CT).
--NITTANY LIONS--