ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The #20 NC Wesleyan College men's golf team finished 2nd as a team at their annual home tournament, the Don Scalf Memorial Invitational on Monday afternoon.

The Bishops finished behind first place Averett University (Va.) by two strokes, 579-581. Wesleyan shot an even par 288 in the first round on Sunday to sit in third place at the Belmont Lake Golf Club in Rocky Mount. Averett sat in fourth with a 290 after the first round, but then rallied to post the best round of the day Monday at 289 to come from behind and a steal a win from the Bishops finishing at 3-over par. Wesleyan was at 5-over 581 after shooting a 293 on Monday.

The Bishops were led by sophomore Frankie Schmitt as he shot a 3-under par 141 to tie for 2nd for the tournament. Schmitt shot a 3-under 69 in the first round Sunday and trailed the leader by one shot heading into round 2. Schmitt then fired an even par 72 Monday closing with two birdies, while Methodist's Andre Chi came from behind to shoot rounds of 70 and 69 to take the win at 5-under par 139. Schmitt totaled 9 birdies on the week.

Seniors Luke Thornton and Nico Strafe then tied for 11th for the Bishops at 3-over 147. Thornton shot a 74 on Sunday closing with 4 birdies over his final 5 holes to shoot a 3-under 33 on the back nine. He then bettered that round by one shooting a 73 on Monday while Strafe also shot rounds of 74 and 73 for the tournament.

Freshman Luis Esteban Zurita then shot his best collegiate round so far with a 1-under 71 on Sunday before coming back some with a 78 on Monday to place 22nd at 5-over 149. Zurita had 4 birdies and an eagle on Sunday in the first round while matching Thornton's back nine with a 3-under 33.

Senior Dustin Wood then wrapped up the scoring for the Bishops shooting consecutive rounds of 75 including 6 birdies in round two and nine for the tournament. He finished at 6-over 150 for 25th place.

Playing as individuals, sophomore Patricio Basta shot identical rounds of 80 to place 51st at 16-over 160 while freshman Facundo Piccardo placed 52nd with rounds of 76 and 85 for a 161.

The Golf team is back in action on October 7 when they remain in Rocky Mount to host the one-day 36-hole USA South Preview Tournament at Benvenue Country Club.