Eighteen universities teed off Monday morning at American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan – the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course – for the inaugural Folds of Honor Collegiate.
On Day 1, the players were dealt a pristine golf course, yet winds that reached almost 20mph and rain was on-and-off throughout the round.
The Seminoles handled the weather nicely, shooting 1 under in the opening round and securing themselves the lead heading into the Tuesday’s second round. FSU was led by junior Brett Roberts, who shot a 2-under 70. Despite starting the tournament with a bogey on the 10th, Roberts battled back, including birdies on all three par 5s.
Fold of Honor Collegiate: Team scores | Individual
“He’s just getting better and better and better. Once again, there’s another example of a player from Miami, that as a freshman, would not have embraced this,” said Trey Jones, head coach of Florida State. “It really shows his growth, accepting that this is the way it’s going to be and he went out and played really good golf.”
Liberty’s Jonathan Yaun shot 3-under 69 in the first round. Through 16 holes, the senior was bogey free. After a drive that leaked to the right and missing a 9-footer for par, he’d bogey the 17th, a 428-yard, par 4. Yaun kept his head down and rallied, birding the final hole and finishing with the clubhouse lead.
“The 18th was really everything today. One shot at a time, staying patient, really paid off there,” Yaun said. “I stayed really patient today. I was really proud of myself, just taking it one shot at a time. It was really tough out there.”
American Dunes was built in tribute to the U.S. military and commemorates the birthplace of Folds of Honor. All proceeds from this week’s event benefit the Folds of Honor.
“You know your playing out there for more than just yourself. I think that’s been the key for me today too,” said Yaun. “Playing for fallen veterans and people who fight for our country. It gives me that sense of confidence out there. You gotta be a warrior in those conditions and that’s what they did.”
Alex Gelman is the current Ron Balicki Scholarship Award winner.
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