Feb. 11, 2007

COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Ohio State men's golf team finished in 11th place at the Gator Invitational Sunday in a field that included five Top 25 teams. The Buckeyes shot rounds of 283-300-299 (882) over the two-day, 54-hole event at the University Golf Course (par 70, 6,701) in Gainesville, Fla. The 882 stroke total was the best scoring performance of the season for the team.

The tournament's host and No. 1 ranked University of Florida won the event with a score of 850 (280-289-281). The Gators finished with an 11-stroke victory over runner-up Florida State. Manuel Villegas of Florida won medalist honors by six strokes after firing off rounds of 67-68-69 for a score of 6-under 204.

Ohio State senior Colin Biles (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) led the Buckeyes with a three-round total of 219 (69-76-74) and tied for 31st place.

Senior David Vallina (Burgettstown, Pa./Burgettstown), freshman Patrick Simard (Marbella, Spain/I.E.S. Ortega & Gasset) and senior Jack Tyler (Novi, Mich./George Washington) all finished with individual season best tournament total scores. Vallina finished tied for 37th place (71-75-74=200) while Simard finished tied for 53rd place with a 225 total (70-81-74). Tyler tied for 45th place with a three-round total of 222 (73-72-77).

Sophomore Dan Rush (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Ignatius) shot 80-77-78 (235) and tied for 69th place.

The Buckeyes return to action Feb. 19 at the Rio Pinar Intercollegiate in Orlando, Fla.