The Richmond Spiders men’s golf team took a four-shot lead on Mar. 9 after the first round of the Babygrande Donald Ross Collegiate Classic in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The team posted a score of 10-under par (278), marking their third consecutive round of 10-under or better, which is the longest such streak in program history.
This performance follows Richmond’s record-setting win at the Loyola Intercollegiate and highlights their continued strong form this season. Their current lead places them ahead of a field that includes 20 teams and several conference rivals.
Freshman Lucas Rizo-Patron led the Spiders with a five-under-par 67, his best round of the season. “Mentally I was really committed to letting go of my expectations and trying to control the results. I also putted the ball great from long distance, always giving myself a nice tap-in for par or birdie,” said Rizo-Patron. “And I dominated the par fives.” He birdied all four par fives at Mid Pines Golf Club and stands second on the individual leaderboard, one shot behind CJ Winchenbaugh of Georgetown.
Sophomore Carson Baez, who recently set a program record by winning individual medalist honors at Loyola Intercollegiate with a score of 17-under par, finished one shot behind Rizo-Patron at four-under and is tied for third place. Baez recorded eight birdies—the most in the field—and was three-under on par threes, two shots better than any other player.
Junior Quin Polin finished his fourth straight round under par with a one-under performance, tying for 18th place. Senior Drew Carlin contributed an even-par 72 to complete Richmond’s team scoring and is tied for 28th. Junior Parker Moellinger is tied for 68th at four-over par.
Richmond leads Georgetown and James Madison by four shots going into subsequent rounds. The Spiders are also ahead of seven Atlantic-10 Conference rivals competing in the event.
