BELLE VERNON, Pa. – The 2023-24 season has opened with the Gannon University men's golf team doing what it did so many times in 2022-23 – winning tournament titles.

Coach Dustin Coleman's Golden Knights, who claimed eight team tourney titles in 2022-23, opened this season by beating 15 other teams to win the California (PA) Vulcan Fall Invitational on Monday at Cedarbrook Golf Course.

In addition, senior left-hander Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) pulled away for a three-shot victory after recording a 54-hole total of 2-under-par 214.
 

 
What happened:

• Gannon grabbed a 10-shot lead on the first day of the competition on Sunday when it shot a 594 (289-295) over 36 holes. On Monday, the Golden Knights shot 294 to finish with an 878 total.
   
• The Golden Knights were forced to hold off a hard-charging Pitt-Johnstown team, which shaved eight strokes off Gannon's lead Monday to finish two strokes back at 880 (301-293-286).
   
• Ferry led Gannon by shooting a 2-under-par 70 on the final day to finish with a three-day total of 214. He was at even par 144 (71-73) after Sunday's 54 holes. The tournament started with a field of 107 golfers.
   
• GU had two other golfers finish among the top seven: Sophomore Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) placed sixth with 4-over-par 220 (70-76-74), while senior Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa/St Stithians Boys School) tied for seventh at 5-over 221 (74-71-76).
   
• Playing as an individual, Gannon's Elijah Rupert tied for 15th at 224 (77-71-76).

 
Quotable:
"It was nice to get out of the first weekend with a win, especially when we didn't have our best stuff," Coleman said. "It was great to be back at it and see how we stack up against a solid field. Ryan played really solid and was able to get the individual win and lead us to a team win. We're looking forward to working on the things that will make us better."
 
Top five team:
(16-team field)

1. Gannon 289-295-294—878
    
2. Pitt-Johnstown 301-293-286—880
    
3. Millersville 296-303-298—897
    
4. California 298-308-293—899
    
5. West Chester 301-301-299—910

 
Top five individuals
(107-golfer field)

1. Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville), Gannon 71-73-70—214 -2

T2. Eli Ropietski, UPJ  79-67-71—217 +1

T2. Mario Battaglia, UPJ   71-74-72—217 +1

T4. Reese Watson, Cal 74-76-69—219 +3

T4. Troy Loughry, Point Park 74-73-72—219 +3
 

Gannon golfers

1. Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) 71-73-70—214 -2
 
6. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) 70-76-74—220 +4
 
T7. Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa/St Stithians Boys School) 74-71-76—221 +5
 
T15. *Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) 77-71-76—224 +8
 
T23. Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) 74-78-74—226 +10
 
T32. Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) 76-75-78—229 +13
 
T60. *Jacob Wolak (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock Area) 78-80-76—234 +18