ESTERO, Fla. – Wet and windy conditions at the already-narrow Old Corkscrew Golf Club resulted in historically-high scores in the opening round of the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic on Sunday, but after 18 holes the FGCU men's golf team is tied for 2nd place entering Monday's final round.
 
The Eagles shot a first-round 323 – the program's worst round in the Division-I era (since 2007-08) – but are still only seven shots back of tournament leader #49 UCF (316). FGCU is tied with Butler as the Bulldogs and Eagles are two strokes ahead of 4th-place South Dakota State (325).
 
Grant Renegar (McComb, Miss./Meridian CC/Parklane Academy) paced the Green and Blue with a 78 and is tied for 5th overall, just three shots off the overall lead held by Daniel Brennan from Bethune-Cookman. He is one of three FGCU members in the top-10 overall as Andrew Potter (Naples, Fla./Community School of Naples) and Michael Keymont (Orlando, Fla./Eastern Florida State College/Timber Creek) are both tied for 9th following rounds of 79.
 
Making the FGCU performance even more impressive is that the Eagles were forced to use their only four scores as Robert Renner Jr. (Arlington Heights, Ill./Saint Viator HS) had to withdraw after 12 holes with a back injury. Additionally, Keymont's score was not used in the main FGCU lineup as he is competing as part of the FGCU "B" team.
 
Due to rain all day on Saturday, and some more overnight into Sunday, the tournament was shortened from 54 to 36 holes. Action began on Sunday at 11 a.m., but the 13 teams were originally scheduled to contest 36 holes continuously commencing at 8:30 a.m.
 
Action is slated to conclude on Monday with final-round tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. off holes 1 and 10. FGCU, Butler and UCF will be paired together, going off hole 1 in nine-minute increments starting at 8:30. Live scoring is available via Golfstat, with updates throughout the day available on Twitter @FGCU_MGolf.
 
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Old Corkscrew is located approximately seven miles east of I–75 on the south side of Corkscrew Road (17320 Corkscrew Road). Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.
 
"We had a very challenging day with winds gusting to 40 mph," commented FGCU head coach Eric Booker. "All of the teams experienced the same conditions, so to only be seven shots out of the lead and having to count all four scores was a pretty good job by our guys. Hopefully Rob will be able to play on Monday as it would put us in a disadvantage with needing to count all four scores again. Being patient and executing each shot with equal interest will be key to making up those seven strokes."
 
Doug Smith (Windermere, Fla./Olympia HS) is tied for 15th overall after shooting an 80, while DJ Griffiths (Binghamton, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley HS) rounded out the primary FGCU lineup with an 86.
 
The FGCU "B" team is in sole possession of 9th place after a 332 first round. That quintet, led by Keymont's performance, is ahead of four other Division-I schools, including a 14-stroke lead over Creighton.
 
Additionally, FGCU has two members competing as individuals. A complete breakdown of all team and individual scores is included at the end of this release.
 
In an attempt to improve scoring, the par-72 Old Corkscrew – which can stretch to 7,400 yards from the tips – was shortened to play 6,718 yards on Sunday and 6,750 yards on Monday, but it still wasn't enough to make up for the extremely challenging conditions. Players were allowed to play lift, clean and place as balls frequently plugged and received little to no roll.
 
Old Corkscrew Golf Club is Southwest Florida's only stand-alone Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. The course was created in harmony with the natural terrain of the Florida environment and provides a challenging, enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels. The course is a free-standing recreational facility with no residential development on the site. Old Corkscrew opened for play in February of 2007 and has quickly been recognized as one of the nation's finest golf courses and included on a number of prestigious lists.
 
FGCU Lineup
T-5) Grant Renegar: 78 (+6)
T-9) Andrew Potter: 79 (+7)
T-15) Doug Smith: 80 (+8)
T-46) DJ Griffiths: 86 (+14)
Robert Renner Jr: Withdrew After 12 (Back Injury)
 
FGCU "B" Lineup
T-9) Michael Keymont: 79 (+7)
T-36) Mark Iwinski Jr.: 84 (+12)
T-36) James Leadbetter: 84 (+12)
T-43) Cole Castro: 85 (+13)
T-64) Brent Fredericksen: 93 (+21)
 
FGCU Individuals
T-61) Landon Weber: 91 (+19)
T-64) Remec Carlson: 93 (+21)
 
Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport & FGCU Classic Field (Golfstat Ranking)
1) #49 UCF: 316 (+28)
T-2) #208 FGCU: 323 (+35)
T-2) #121 Butler: 323 (+35)
4) #211 South Dakota State: 325 (+37)
5) #153 Appalachian State: 326 (+38)
T-6) N/A FAU: 327 (+39)
T-6) N/A Keiser: 327 (+39)
T-6) #198 Bethune-Cookman: 327 (+39)
9) N/A FGCU "B": 332 (+44)
10) #207 St. Bonaventure: 338 (+50)
11) #250 Bryant: 340 (+52)
12) #285 Alabama State: 343 (+55)
13) #234 Creighton: 346 (+58)
 
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
 
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 4th-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.