BOCA RATON, Fla. – The FGCU men's golf team shot a 1-under 287 total in the opening round of the FAU Slomin Autism Invitational on Friday as the Eagles are alone in 5th place out of 19 teams with still 36 holes remaining this weekend.
 
Andrew Potter led the Green and Blue with his team-best fifth round in the 60s as the junior signed for a 3-under 69 on the strength of six birdies – tied for the 3rd-most in the first 18 of the tournament.
 
FGCU is just two shots behind 4th-place Georgetown (285) and only six back of top-10 nationally-ranked Division-II member Lynn (281) in 2nd place as Connecticut is leading the large field with a 273 total. The Eagles sit ahead of in-state foes Bethune-Cookman (6th, 288), Stetson (T-7, 289) and host FAU (10th, 291) entering Saturday's 2nd round.
 
"I'm proud of the performance today; the guys started out slow but came on strong during the back 9," said FGCU head coach Eric Booker. "Andrew was able to overcome some back and allergy issues to shoot a good number, and Grant (Renegar) I'm also pleased was able to stick to the game plan and sign a strong card. We're in a good position heading into tomorrow; I'm proud of the guys for their performance today, and we're looking forward to finishing up this event strong."
 
Potter (Naples, Fla./Community School of Naples) is tied for 7th out of 113 golfers, while Grant Renegar (McComb, Miss./Meridian CC/Parklane Academy) is tied for 26th as he shot an even-par 72. Doug Smith (Windermere, Fla./Olympia HS) and Cole Castro (Homestead, Fla./South Dade HS) both signed for rounds of 73 to round out the FGCU quartet of counting scores for the day.
 
Additionally, Michael Keymont (Orlando, Fla./Eastern Florida State College/Timber Creek) shot a 74 but did so without making a birdie all round, while individual Brent Fredericksen (Staten Island, N.Y./Saint Peter's Boys HS) recorded his best-ever collegiate round with a 1-under 71 and is tied for 18th overall.
 
Smith and Castro each took advantage of the par-5, 538-yard 11th as they both eagled the hole. Smith collectively played the four par-5 holes at 4-under par, which was tied for the best of anyone on the opening day of the tournament.
 
Action continues on Saturday with 2nd-round action from the par-72, 6,786-yard Osprey Point Golf Club. Live scoring all tournament long and pairings/tee times each day will be available on Golfstat by clicking here.
 
FGCU Competing Golfers
T-7) Andrew Potter: 69
T-18) (I) Brent Fredericksen: 71
T-26) Grant Renegar: 72
T-39) Cole Castro: 73
T-39) Doug Smith: 73
T-78) Michael Keymont: 76
 
FAU Slomin Autism Invitational Competing Teams (# Golfstat Ranking)
1) #141 Connecticut: 273
2) #6 (D-II) Lynn: 281
3) #195 Houston Baptist: 282
4) #170 Georgetown: 285
5) #178 FGCU: 287
6) #191 Bethune-Cookman: 288
T-7) #247 Stetson: 289
T-7) #224 Hartford: 289
9) #143 Jacksonville State: 290
10) #157 FAU: 291
11) #138 Oakland: 292
12) #237 Murray State: 293
13) #277 Hofstra: 297
T-14) #216 DePaul: 298
T-14) #257 Monmouth: 298
T-14) #180 North Dakota State: 298
17) #278 Manhattan: 299
18) #214 Morehead State: 306
19) #283 Canisius: 307
 
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. He has led the Eagles to a pair of wins in limited-field events the last two years, in addition to a tie for 1st at Stetson's Legacy Intercollegiate in February of 2018. 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.