Littlestown, Pa. / Quail Valley G.C. -Robert Morris University senior men's golfer C.G. Mercatoris (Brookville, Pa. / Brookville) shot a four-under par round of 68 in the opening stage of the Mount St. Mary's Spring Invitational and holds a one-stroke lead after 36 of the 54 holes have been played. The senior posted the third lowest round since the event was moved to the 7,027-yard layout at Quail Valley Golf Course in Littlestown, Pa.
The senior followed the impressive first 18 by carding an even-par round of 72 to shoot a combined 140 that puts him one shot ahead of Fordham University's Jason Del Rosso. His 140 total is the second-lowest 36-hole number at the Mount's spring event since it moved to Quail Valley.
The 68 ties the second lowest career round by Mercatoris, who equaled that number in the 2009 Northeast Conference Championships. It ties his mark for lowest round under par (-4), but does not best his lowest total number, a 66 at the par-70 Bucknell Golf Course. He posted that round in September of 2008.
Led by Del Rosso's 141, Fordham leads the event by five strokes with a 593 team total. Monmouth is second (598) followed by Mount St. Mary's (601), Fairfield (607), Robert Morris (608), St. Peter's (618), Wagner (631), Rider (634) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (666).
Sophomore Donny Lewis (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) carded a 74 in the opening foray and a 77 in the second round to put himself into a tie for 13th position at 151. Sophomore brothers Brock and Brandon Pompeani (Aliquippa, Pa. / Hopewell) are next in the RMU lineup. Brock is tied for 23rd after totaling 157 with rounds of 78 and 79 while Brandon is 35th following his 82-78=160. Senior Shawn Courson (Parker, Pa. / Allegheny-Clarion Valley) sits alone in 49th turning in scores of 84-86=170.
Playing as individuals, sophomore Jim Davis (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) and junior Ryan Lucas (Aliquippa, Pa. / Hopewell) are tied with 165 totals. They both posted rounds of 82 and 83 that give them 165 totals through two rounds.
