PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (October 29, 2024) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team brought home an impressive second place in the FAU Golf Invitational in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. on Tuesday. The Lions finished all four of their fall tournaments with a win or runner-up. 
 
Today completed the best fall or spring season for tournament placements during UNA's Division I era with two wins and two second place finishes. Since 1989, there has only been one better season, which came in Fall 2010. That fall, the Lions combined for a 54-1 record with four straight tournament wins before finalizing with a second place spot in the Division II Preview Tournament in Muscle Shoals out of 17 teams. 
 
North Alabama holds onto second-place by a stroke over Abilene Christian, who only trailed first-place USF for the best third-round stroke score with a 282. The Lions finish the day with a 294 scorecard as a team while they close the tournament at an 872 overall. USF, who is nationally-ranked at No. 26, finished with a 852 stroke score.
 
After a first round where UNA sat in last place at one point, the Lions jumped 10 spots up to second place by the end of round two. Today in round three, the Lions led by as much as seven strokes for the day, totaling 12 birdies and an eagle as a team. 
 
Juniors Sebastian Bengtsson and Xing Luo led the pack tied in 16th for the final round both having a two-over day. Sophomore Andrew Ferworn and senior Chase Kaiser duo at 27th place with a three-over, while the junior Corey Maher closes out the day with a four-over day.
 
For the tournament, Bengtsson and Ferworn finish tied for 10th, while Maher had a career-best finish in the 15th spot. Luo creeps up to 34th after a solid finish in round three, while Kaiser finishes the tournament jumping 20 total spots from round one to rest at 56th. 
 
The Lions control the course typically when it's a normal par-72. The only two second place finishes this fall have come in a 71-par tournament. The first was the Cullan Brown Collegiate, where Ferworn won individually, the second came this afternoon. Both first place team finishes were in par-72 tournaments with the GMAC and Turtle Point Invite.
 
"Not our day today," said head coach Austin Phillips. "We didn't play too bad but we didn't have any great individual rounds this week. But I'm proud of the guys and their fight. It's been an amazing semester, and we have put ourselves in a great position. We can't wait for the spring, and we will keep working until then." 
 
There were 12 teams in the field. South Florida came into this one ranked 26th in the nation and played like it, as the Bulls had the individual medalist and runner-up to go with the tournament win. As UNA scrapes past ACU for second by one stroke, Atlantic Sun Conference member Stetson falls right into fourth with a 25-over tournament. UCF finalizes the top-five with an 879 score. 
 
Seton Hall bested the hometown team, FAU, for sixth place. FAU ties with UAB for seventh with an 885 stroke scorecard. Toledo places ninth, while Jacksonville State tumbles to 10th place. Central Arkansas and Temple round out the tournament, respectively. 
 
UNA bested Jacksonville State for the third time this season. The Lions also beat out Toledo and UAB for the second time this fall.
 
As the Lions' fall season comes to a close, they finish with two tournament crowns and two runner-up awards in four tournaments. They add three individual victories with Ferworn claiming two and Luo claiming one of his own. This fall saw three ASUN Golfer of the Week awards go out as well — two for Ferworn and one for Luo. 
 
This concludes the fall season for North Alabama. The Lions will head back to Florida at the Sea Best Invitational on Feb. 3, 2025 hosted by ASUN opponent Jacksonville in Atlantic Beach, Fla. at the Atlantic Beach Country Club. 
  
FAU Golf Invitational
PGA National (Champion)
 
Team Leaderboard - Tournament Official
1. South Florida                      852 | E
2. North Alabama                   872| +20
3. Abilene Christian                873 | +21
4. Stetson                                877 | +25
5. UCF                                     879 | +27
6. Seton Hall                           882 | +30
T7. FAU                                   885 | +33
T7. UAB                                   885 | +33
9. Toledo                                 886 | +34
10. Jacksonville State             889 | +37
11. Central Arkansas               898 | +46
12. Temple                              921 | +69
 
North Alabama Golfers - Tournament Official 
T10. Andrew Ferworn             218 | +5
T10. Sebastian Bengtsson      218 | +5
T15. Corey Maher                   219 | +6
T34. Xing Luo                          222 | +9
T56. Chase Kaiser                   229 | +16
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.