BELLE VERNON, PA -- The Gannon men's golf team couldn't have had a much better start to the 2022 season than it did during Labor Day weekend at the California Vulcan Invitational.

Coach Dustin Coleman's Golden Knights won team title by five shots, turning in a 36-hole total of 23-under par at the Cedarbrook Golf Course. In addition, Gannon senior Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) claimed the individual title over teammate Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) by winning a two-hole playoff. Both players had tied for the lead after shooting 10-under-par 132 over the two days.

It was a stellar second round for Holmes, who shot 6-under 65 to close a three-shot deficit. Ferry, a junior who transferred from Mercyhurst University, shot a 7-under 64 in Sunday's opening round. 

Also adding to the team scoring were sophomore Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional), who tied for 16th place at 3-under 139, and junior Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa), who finished at even-par 142.

"The guys played phenomenal yesterday and today. I'm almost certain we set program records for 18 and 36 hole totals," Coleman said. "Everyone played great but especially Abe and Ryan. Those two were dialed in and played near flawless golf. It's a great way to kick off the year with team and individual titles!"

Playing as individuals, sophomore Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) tied for 16th at 3-under 139, and freshman Dylan Flinchbaugh (Saegertown/Saegertown) tied for 21st at 2-under 140.

Holmes surged on the final day to tie Ferry for the top spot. Holmes had 12 birdies total -- 6 in each round -- as he shot 67-65. Ferry had 14 total birdies -- 7 in each round -- but he had four bogeys in the second round, including one on No. 18.

In the playoff, both golfers parred the par-5 10th hole. Holmes then birdied the par-3 11th to take the title in the season opener.

 

Final team leaderboard (18 total teams): 
1. Gannon -23   271-274--545
2. Davis & Elkins College -18  274-276--550
3. Goldey-Beacom College  -5  279-284-563
T4. West Chester  -2  287-279-566
T4. Shepherd University -2  280-286-566

Final individual leaderboard (121 golfers competed)
T1. *Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate), Gannon  -10   67-65--132
T1  Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville), Gannon  -10  64-68--132
3. Alejandro Gomez, Dominican -9  66-67--133
T4. Rory Gorman, Charleston -8  66-68--134
T4. Sean McAufield, Davis & Elkins -8  64-70--134
*Won two-hole playoff with Ferry with birdie on par-3 11th hole to earn title.

Final Gannon scores: 
T1. Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) (1) -10  67-65--132 - Wins two-hole playoff for title  
T1. Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) (2)  -10  64- 68--132
T16. Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (4)  -3  69-70--139
T29. Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa) (5)  E  71-71--142
T62. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy) (3)  +5  72-75--147

Playing as individuals: 
T16. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights)  -3  67- 72--139
T21. Dylan Flinchbaugh (Saegertown/Saegertown) -2  71-69--140
T68. Zach Abdallah (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) + 6 72-76--148