Oct. 12, 2009

Junior Thomas Ayala (East Taunton, MA) fired a two-round score of 149 while senior Brendan Livingston (Westford, MA) shot a 153 to lead the UMass Lowell golf team to second place at the Southern New Hampshire University Invitational Tournament Sunday and Monday at the par 71 Passaconaway Country Club.

UMass Lowell shot a collective 613, carding a 311 for Sunday's first round and a 302 on Monday to match its lowest effort this season.

The host Penmen won the team title with a 610 (296-314) while Manhattan College placed third (322-302--624), Holy Cross fourth (313-316--329), Assumption fifth (320-315--635) and Franklin Pierce sixth (319-319--638).

The tournament drew 30 players representing six teams.

Ayala shot a 75 on Sunday and a 74 on Monday to place fifth while Livingston improved from a 78 to a 75 to place eighth.

The River Hawks' biggest improvement came from senior Patrick Bean (Fitchburg, MA) who improved from an 86 Sunday to a 69 on Monday, the low single day score, en route to a 155 and a share of ninth place.

Freshman Travis Kellegrew (Chelmsford, MA) shot a 77-84--161 to finish tied for 17th while senior Matt Twomey (Salem, MA) shot an 81-85--166 to place tied for 24th.

Shane Winslow of Southern New Hampshire won medalist honors with a 72-74--146.

UMass Lowell caps the fall season Sunday through Tuesday at the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship at The Captains Golf Club in Brewster, MA.