The St. Thomas Aquinas golf team finished 17th in the NCAA Division II National Championship. Senior Chris Fitzpatrick shot the Spartans low score of the tournament with a 73 in his final round. STAC had their best team score of 305 in their final round.
Fitzpatrick had three birdies and four bogey's to shot 1-over par in round three; finishing tied for 32nd place. Fitzpatrick has guided the Spartans to a National Championship for three consecutive seasons being among the top ranked golfer in the East Region.
Mike Gunderson also had his best round in the final day shooting 2-over par, 74 and finishing with a three day score of 235. Junior John Casey had his low round in day three shooting a 7-over, 79. Casey along with Fitzpatrick is the only other Spartan to compete in three consecutive National Championships.
Freshmen Thomas Linehan and Joe Harney completed their first National Championship experience as Linehan shot 79 and Harney carded an 83. Both freshmen were key contributors in helping the Spartans win the NCAA Super Regional to advance to the NCAA Championships.
STAC's best finish at the Natioanl Championship came in 2010 when they finished in 16th place. The Spartans will lose their #1 golfer, Fitzpatrick, but will return an experienced group along with a strong freshmen class in hopes to return to the National Championship for a fourth year.
Senior Chris Fitzpatrick with Dr. Margaret Fitzpatrick