DESTIN, FL – The University of Rochester golf team turned in a terrific performance on the opening day of the 2024 Golfweek October Classic on Sunday, ranking fifth among 24 of the best Division III teams after day one of competition at the Sandestin Resort Raven Golf Club.
 
The Yellowjackets carded a stellar 3-under par round of 281, ranking as the second best team score round in school history, trailing only the 280 (8-under) shot at the 2014 Liberty League Fall Qualifier.
 
Rochester, ranked #25 in the latest Division III coaches poll that was announced this week is one of 18 teams in the top-25 to be in the 24-team field for the event that runs through Tuesday. The six other teams in the event are among others receiving votes in the poll.
 
UR's near record round saw two individuals finish under par and a third end his round at even. The other two players in Rochester's lineup also broke 80 on the par-71, 6,623 yard layout at the Raven Golf Club.
 
First-year Alvin Su led the way shooting a 3-under par round of 68 on Sunday. His round was highlighted by six birdies, including back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11 and holes 17 and 18. After 18 holes, Su ranks tied for 12th overall in the field.
 
Right behind Su was sophomore Shibo Wang who had a near flawless round, carding a 69 (2-under) on day one. Wan had just one bogey on the day, to go along with three birdies, all of which were on the back nine, to reach his score. Wang sits in a tie for 17th on the leaderboard.
 
Rookie Luke Evans shot an opening round even-par score of 71. Evans worked around four bogeys, finishing also with four birdies, including a three-hole stretch from 14 through 16 with a birdie on each. Evans is tied for 33rd after round one.
 
UR's fourth scoring golfer on Sunday was senior Gary Pan. The senior sits in a tie for 50th place on the individual leaderboard after shooting a 2-over par round of 73. Pan contributed a birdie on the par-5, 17th hole, helping the Yellowjackets five golfers combine for a six-under par stretch over the final three holes of the day.
 
First-year Galen Fowles wrapped up his round with a 77 (6-over) to sit in a tie for 97th after the opening round. Fowles battled throughout the day, finishing with a strong stretch, going 1-under over his final four holes.
 
On the team leaderboard, #21 Sewanee ranks first overall with a first round score of 273, sitting one stroke clear of 6th-ranked Washington & Lee. Oglethorpe (277) and Illinois Wesleyan (280), two teams ranked inside the Division III top-5, are also in front of UR in third and fourth, respectively.
 
Rochester's 281 score has the Yellowjackets tied with #7 Huntingdon after the opening round.
 
Day two's tee times are set to begin at 7:30 am, with Rochester's five starting their second round from 8:20 through 9 am.