The UNF men’s golf team finished fourth in the SunTrust Gator Invitational Feb. 13 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, continuing its strong start to the season.

After firing a final round of 287, the Ospreys finished only four shots behind Louisiana State University. They had a final score of 866 in the 54-hole event after finishing the first day with 579. The University of Florida came in first place, with Auburn finishing seven shots behind in second.

Head Coach Scott Schroeder said his team gave its full effort.

“We had five guys who all finished in the top half of the tournament, which is very solid,” he said.

The top three finishers in the tournament are all ranked in the top 15 in the country, so this was not a bad loss for the Ospreys, he said.

Schroeder insists his team is always trying to get better. He said although his team didn’t play perfectly, it was more consistent and made fewer mistakes that it did at the JU Invitational a couple of weeks back.

Schroeder praised junior Major Forbess, who recorded the lowest score in his collegiate career at 69. He said the golf course was an old-style golf course where you have to hit the ball in certain places, and there are some mistakes you just can’t make.

“He was really steady and hit the ball consistently,” he said. “He was hitting the ball on the right side of the hole.”

Forbess finished in 10th place with a final round of 71. Junior Kevin Aylwin and senior Jacob Davidson both shot 218 to tie in 22nd place. Sophomore Kevin Phelan tied for 29th with a total score of 219, while Junior Joe Byun was tied in 34th after he finished at 220, including a 71 round on the final day. Sophomore Joey Marino finished in joint 55th with an overall 229.

Forbess said this tournament is a step in the right direction for him, and finishing in the top 10 was great.

“After the first day I was really pleased with the way I played. I hit a lot of good shots and made a lot of clutch putts,” he said. “I think it is a showing of the work that I have put in lately. I have been working a lot on controlling the ball more and eliminating one side of the course.”

Forbess said his short game has recently improved, and he is much more confident now with a wedge in his hand.

The team’s next tournament is at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach Feb. 27.

“We know the course and feel confident we can play well and give any team in the country a run for their money,” Forbess said.

“Sawgrass Country Club is one of the most challenging courses in college golf,” Schroeder said. “We will be getting used to the golf course, so they know what to expect. Each one of them has a couple of small things to work on, but everybody’s golf game is in pretty good shape.”