BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Playing in its fourth tournament in as many weeks, the FGCU men's golf team completed day one and two rounds at Western Kentucky University's Kenny Perry Invitational at The Club at Olde Stone on Monday.
 
The Eagles are in 12th place following rounds of 313 and 307 (620 total) – their first two rounds in the 300s this year after commencing the season with seven-straight rounds of 295 or lower. Eastern Kentucky leads the invitational with a two-round 571 (-5) as the Colonels are the only team in the field below par.
 
"Today was certainly a disappointing day for us," said FGCU head coach Eric Booker. "Based on how we started the year, this was very uncharacteristic of us, but hopefully we can bounce back with a strong final round on Tuesday."
 
James Leadbetter (Bradenton, Fla./Arkansas/IMG Academy) and Robert Renner Jr. (Arlington Heights, Ill./Saint Viator HS) led FGCU with 154 totals as Leadbetter carded rounds of 80 and 74 while Renner Jr. signed for rounds of 76 and 78 at the par-72 Olde Stone.
 
Leadbetter rolled in nine birdies over the course of the two rounds – tied for the 5th-most in the field – and played the par-3s collectively better than anyone else at 4-under par. Renner Jr. played the par-5s at the 7,219-yard layout the best among all FGCU golfers at even par.
 
Close behind Leadbetter and Renner Jr. was Grant Renegar (McComb, Miss./Meridian CC/Parklane Academy) with rounds of 79 and 77 for a 156 total. Keaton Jones (Kitchener, Ontario/St. Mary's HS), who entered the day with a team-best stroke average of 70 on the year, posted a 158 total after rounds of 80 and 78. Casper Howells (London, England/Bradford College) rounded out the FGCU scoring with a 159 total (78, 81).
 
FGCU will look to bounce back during Tuesday's final round, which is scheduled to get underway with tee times in 10-minute increments at 9 a.m. Eastern (8 a.m. local).
 
FGCU INDIVIDUAL SCORES
T43) James Leadbetter: 80-74: 154
T43) Robert Renner Jr.: 76-78: 154
55) Grant Renegar: 79-77: 156
T58) Keaton Jones: 80-78: 158
T63) Casper Howells: 78-81: 159
 
WKU KENNY PERRY INVITATIONAL (Golfweek Ranking)
1) 39 Eastern Kentucky: 284-287: 571
2) 118 Western Kentucky: 284-292: 576
3) 117 Jacksonville State: 296-286: 582
4) 138 Mercer: 293-293: 586
5) 133 Cleveland State: 296-291: 587
6) 33 Kentucky: 298-295: 593
T7) 83 Southern Miss: 306-296: 602
T7) 185 Samford: 307-295: 602
9) 173 Fort Wayne: 302-302: 604
10) 195 Belmont: 304-301: 605
11) 254 Tennessee Tech: 304-311: 615
12) 187 FGCU: 313-307: 620
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For schedule updates, news and information, visit FGCUAthletics.com. For the latest news and behind-the-scenes access to information, photos and videos, follow @FGCU_MGolf on Twitter and @FGCU_MGolf on Instagram.
 
COACH BOOKER
FGCU is led by 3rd-year coach Eric Booker, a member of the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour (formerly the Nationwide Series) for portions of 17 years from 1990-2007. Booker finished in the top 5 three times in tournaments on the PGA Tour and also played in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He played in 62 career events on the PGA Tour, with his best finish being a tie for 3rd at the 1999 Honda Classic.
 
HELP THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.