LAKE WALES, FL-The USCB men's golf team helped solidify their third position NAIA preseason ranking by winning their spring opener at the Webber International Start 2 Finish Sports and More Classic held Sunday and today at the Lake Wales (FL) Country Club. The Sand Sharks shot a final round 293 to give USCB a final score of 887 for the 54 hole event. The host team from Webber claimed the runner-up position three strokes behind USCB while Sun Conference rival SCAD was third with a score of 896 in the field of ten teams. 

Jon Pannone fired a final round of 72 to put himself into a playoff for the individual championship which he won on the first playoff hole to claim the title. His final round 72 complemented his opening 36 hole scores of 74 and 71 to finish at two over par 217. The rest of the Sand Sharks were tightly bunched in the top 25 of the final results. Jack Bingham and George Thacker each finished the tournament with a 224 total as Bingham had rounds of 74-78-72 and Thacker shot scores of 74-73-77. Freshman Travis Cashion, playing in his first tournament representing the Sand Sharks was next at 226 with rounds of 73-77-76. Chris Lane rounded out the scoring at 229 including a final round 73 to go with his first day rounds of 76 and 80. 

Coach Shane LeBaron was thrilled saying, “It was great to get the season going with a win. I have a real good feeling about this team as we go forward.” 

The Sand Sharks will next travel to the Las Vegas, NV area for the Spring Break Collegiate at the Primm Valley Golf Club on March 8th and 9th.