PHOTO COURTESY OF UNE SPORTS INFORMATION
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine – Saint Joseph's College won the University of New England Invitational with a program-record 291-team card at Cape Arundel Golf Club on Thursday. Senior Michael Caron (Gorham, Maine) claimed the 10th Medalist honor of his career after shooting a 69 in the 18-hole event.
For Saint Joseph's, today's tournament victory is the fourth of the 2016 season and third in a row, as the Monks continue their winning ways after claiming the UMF Invitational and State of Maine Championship earlier this month. St. Joe's also won the program's annually-hosted event, the John Queenan Memorial, on September 6th.
With today's result, the Monks claim their seventh UNE Invitational crown and successfully defend the team's 2015 UNE title. Prior to this afternoon, the best 18-hole card in team history was recorded in the 2004 Maine State Championship when the Monks eclipsed the field with a 295.
Caron earned his first Medalist honor of the year in dramatic fashion, as the senior teed off on the 18th hole neck and neck with USM senior Tom Murray (Bangor, Maine) and sank a birdie putt to finish one stroke ahead of his collegiate rival. For Caron, today's car ties his career-best round score as the senior standout also shot a 69 in the first round of the 2015 USM Fall Classic.
All five of the Monks' finished with sub-80 scores, including sophomore Cam Letourneau (Hebron, Maine), who tied for third with Endicott's Chris Billings with a 71 card. Sophomore Adam Hachey (Winthrop, Maine) shot a 73 and tied for fifth while junior Brandon Labrecque (Gorham, Maine) posted a 78 and freshman Brendan Donovan (Auburn, Maine) notched a 79 in his collegiate debut.
Endicott College finished as the runner-up with a stellar 298 score while University of New England placed third with a 302 and University of Southern Maine and University of Maine-Farmington both turned in 303 cards. Maine Maritime Academy rounded out the group of participating institutions with a 312 score.
Saint Joseph's returns to action this coming Sunday with an appearance in the Thomas Golf Classic. Tee time is slated for 11:00 AM at the Waterville Country Club.
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.