The Valparaiso University men’s golf team began its quest for an NCAA Tournament berth on Sunday as the Missouri Valley Conference championship got underway at the par-72, 7014-yard Country Club of Paducah in Paducah, Ky. The Beacons finished the first round of the three-round event well within striking distance of the top spot, as third-place Valpo is five shots away from tournament-leading Southern Illinois through 18 holes. Drake is two shots ahead of Valpo for second with two rounds remaining as the teams battle for MVC supremacy and the automatic NCAA Regional berth that goes along with it.

How It Happened

• Valpo posted a Round 1 team score of 300 (+12), which ranks third in the nine-team field.
• The Beacons were led on the opening day of competition by junior Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) and freshman Anthony Delisanti (Sanborn, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield), both of whom stroked a 74 (+2). They are part of a tie for third that involves seven players. That group is chasing Matthis Besard (Southern Illinois) and Silvester Tan (Drake), who are tied atop the player leaderboard at 71 (-1) in the race for conference medalist honors.
• Senior Garrett Willis (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead) and freshman Sam Booth (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) provided the team’s other two countable scores as each stroked a 76 (+4) on Sunday. They sit at t-15 on the player leaderboard.

Inside the Round

• Valpo thrived on Par-3 holes with a 3.50 scoring average that was second in the field, and had success on Par 4s at 4.20, also second. The Beacons were not as effective on Par-5 holes, posting a 5.15 average that was seventh of the nine teams.
• The Beacons produced nine birdies, tied for the third most in the field.
• Delisanti had a team-high three birdies, while Willis and Booth each carded 13 pars.
• Willis and Delisanti were both even par on Par-4 holes, while VanArragon was even on Par-3 opportunities.

Thoughts from Head Coach Dave Gring

“It was a challenge to make birdies out there today. These green complexes are difficult and you really have to be on the correct side of the hole to make birdie. I felt our ball-striking was solid, especially off the tee. We hit a good amount of greens, but we simply need to knock the ball closer in regulation and make sure we are missing to the best side of the hole.”

“We were pleased with our Par-3 scoring. It still needs to be better, but we know this is an area that we can pick up shots on the field. Caleb played the four Par 3s even par, while Sam played them two over. Our Par-5 scoring was not good and that will improve over the next two rounds.  Anthony and Sam played them even par and we need to take advantage of these scoring opportunities.”

“We have a lot of golf left to be played. The attitudes are terrific on the team and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s second round.”

Up Next

The format and schedule for Monday have been altered due to the weather forecast as the teams will utilize a shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. Central Time as the second round of the MVC Championship takes place. A link to live scoring via GolfStat is available on ValpoAthletics.com.