Titans strong individually in early golf matches

Senior Anthony Occhiuto has been among the Titans golf leaders this fall. / Photos courtesy of Titans Sports Info.

BY ANTOINE DAVIS / VN STAFF WRITER

Two years ago, Anthony Occhiuto amazed himself by winning his first collegiate tournament.

Detroit Mercy men’s golf team is not off to this type of start, but the Titans are off to a strong start.

The Titans competed in three tournaments in September.

The team began the season in-state at Sage Run Golf Club in Harris.

They finished eighth overall as a team.

Individual standouts were senior James Hill, who tied for 14th; sophomore Alek Mauro, tied for 31st; and senior Occhiuto, tied for 48th.

The golfers traveled to Indiana to compete in the Valpo Fall Invitational for their second tournament.

Despite a tough field, the Titans managed a fourth overall team finish led by Hill and Occhiuto who finished tied for 10th and 12th, respectively, followed by Mauro at 22nd and sophomore Ryan Sangchompuphen at 33rd.

Mauro and Occhiuto led the team in the most recent tournament at the Southern Illinois Edwardsville’s Dolenc Invitational.

Mauro shot a career-low 69 to finish tied for 17th.

Occhiuto tied for 11th and the team finished in the 11th place overall.

Sangchompuphen placed 56th, Hill tied for 72nd and senior Drew Tucci finished 74th.

Tournaments last two days.

Golfers play 36 holes on the first day and 18 on the second.

The Titan golf team consists of the NCAA standard of eight golfers led by interim golf assistant James Tinkey.

Other members of the team include graduate student Bryce Douglas, senior Brendan O’Rourke and freshman Nick Stachler.

Tournaments are not conference specific until the team competes in the Horizon League conference championship.

There are normally about ten teams in each tournament.

Occhiuto said the Titans participate in 11 or 12 of them per season.

The Detroit Golf Club, a five-minute drive from campus, is where the Titans practice and hold home tournaments.

A typical practice day consists of playing a quick two-hour game, going to the driving range and finally completing a round of 18 holes.