MADISON, Ill. - Charlie Gillespie secured a top-20 finish to lead Southern Utah as the Thunderbirds wrapped up the SIUE Dolenc Invitational Tuesday at Gateway National Golf Links.
Gillespie finished tied for 17th at two-under 211 (70-68-73), completing all three rounds at two-over or better. Southern Utah finished sixth in the 17-team field at two-under 850 (280-278-292).
The Thunderbirds spent each of the first two rounds below par, opening with a four-under 280 before firing their best team round of the tournament with a six-under 278 in round two. SUU entered Tuesday in fifth place at 10-under before closing with a 292.
Bradley claimed the team championship at 15-under 837, followed by host SIU Edwardsville at 13-under 839 and UT Martin at 11-under 841.
Head Coach Richard Church said:
"I thought there were a lot of positives for us to take away from this tournament. Charlie was consistent all week and did a great job putting together three solid rounds to earn a top-20 finish. Charles gave us a big round today with that 70, and we saw contributions throughout the lineup over the three rounds. We would have liked to finish a little stronger as a team, but shooting under par for the tournament gives us something positive to build on. We have some time before our next event to keep working and find a few more shots."
The Thunderbirds
Charlie Gillespie led the Thunderbirds from start to finish, earning a tie for 17th at two-under 211 (70-68-73).
Gillespie opened with a one-under 70 before firing a three-under 68 in the second round. He added a two-over 73 Tuesday to secure his top-20 finish. Gillespie recorded rounds of 70, 68 and 73 on the par-71 Gateway National layout, with his second-round 68 standing as one of SUU's three rounds of 68 or better during the tournament.
Braylon Bingham finished tied for 24th at even-par 213 (68-72-73). Bingham's tournament was highlighted by a three-under 68 in the opening round. His final-round 73 featured birdies on Nos. 5, 7, 8, 10 and 13.
Jing-Cheng (Jarell) Wang finished tied for 37th at two-over 215 (72-67-76). Wang supplied the lowest round of the tournament for Southern Utah with a four-under 67 in Monday's second round, improving five strokes from his opening 72. His 67 featured five birdies and just one bogey.
David (Charles) Serdenia saved his best round for Tuesday, firing a one-under 70 to climb into a tie for 44th at four-over 217 (75-72-70).
Serdenia provided one of the highlights of the final round by carding an eagle on the 455-yard par-4 fifth. He added birdies on Nos. 10, 13 and 18 on his way to SUU's lowest round of the day. Serdenia improved in every round of the tournament, dropping from a 75 to a 72 before closing with his 70.
Michael Stirland rounded out the Southern Utah lineup at seven-over 220 (70-71-79), tied for 61st. Stirland was under par through the opening 36 holes after posting a one-under 70 in the first round and an even-par 71 in round two.
Southern Utah finished the 54-hole event with eight individual rounds of par or better, led by Wang's four-under 67 and three-under 68s from Gillespie and Bingham. Gillespie finished under par for the tournament, Bingham finished even and Wang finished just two strokes above par.
Next Up
Southern Utah will have nearly two weeks away from competition before returning to the course for the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational, Oct. 12-14 at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, California.
Full Scoreboard
SIUE Dolenc Invitational Results
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