Men's Golf | 10/11/2026 4:30:00 PM
ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon men's golf team opened its home tournament in strong fashion Sunday, taking the lead after the first round of the Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational at Whispering Woods Golf Club.
The Golden Knights carded a 1-over 289 during the opening round and hold a seven-stroke advantage over California (Pa.), which sits second at 8-over 296. Gannon's B team also put together a strong opening round and stands third at 9-over 297.
Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) and Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) led Gannon's top lineup with matching rounds of 1-under 71, leaving the pair tied for third on the individual leaderboard. Carson Moniz (Laramie, WY/Laramie) is also inside the top 10 after firing a 1-over 73 to sit tied for eighth. Jacob Wolak (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock Area) and Mario Estevez (Gijón, Spain/Colegio Montedeva de Gijón) each carded 2-over 74s and are tied for 13th.
Gannon's B team was paced by Sebastian Rubio, who turned in one of the best rounds of the day with a 3-under 69 to sit second individually. Vincent Lenze (St. Marys, Pa./St. Marys Area) joined Parrini and Seppanen at 1-under 71 and is tied for third. Kyle Westfall (Erie, Pa./Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy (Erie)) shot a 6-over 78, while Gavin Letourneau (Jericho, Vt./Mount Mansfield Union) finished at 7-over 79.
Daniel Moses, competing as an individual, carded an 8-over 80 and sits tied for 30th.
THE EVENT FACTS
Event: Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational
Course: Whispering Woods Golf Club
Location: Erie, Pa.
Dates: Oct. 11-12, 2026
Par: 72
Gannon Standing: 1st, 289 (+1)
Gannon B Standing: 3rd, 297 (+9)
TOP FIVE TEAMS
- Gannon – 289 (+1)
- California (Pa.) – 296 (+8)
- Gannon B – 297 (+9)
- Virginia Union – 301 (+13)
T5. Waterloo – 308 (+20)
T5. Shepherd – 308 (+20)
GANNON RESULTS
T3. Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) – 71 (-1)
T3. Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) – 71 (-1)
T8. Carson Moniz (Laramie, WY/Laramie) – 73 (+1)
T13. Jacob Wolak (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock Area) – 74 (+2)
T13. Mario Estevez (Gijón, Spain/Colegio Montedeva de Gijón) – 74 (+2)
GANNON B RESULTS
- Sebastian Rubio – 69 (-3)
T3. Vincent Lenze (St. Marys, Pa./St. Marys Area) – 71 (-1)
T20. Kyle Westfall (Erie, Pa./Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy (Erie)) – 78 (+6)
T25. Gavin Letourneau (Jericho, Vt./Mount Mansfield Union) – 79 (+7)
- Anthony Laboda – 90 (+18)
INDIVIDUAL
T30. Daniel Moses – 80 (+8)
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Leading the Field: Gannon finished the opening round at 1-over 289 to take a seven-shot lead into Monday.
- Two in the Top Five: Parrini and Seppanen each shot 1-under 71 and are tied for third.
- Moniz in the Top 10: Moniz opened with a 1-over 73 and sits tied for eighth.
- Strong Showing from the B Team: Gannon B sits third overall at 9-over 297.
- Rubio Goes Low: Rubio fired a 3-under 69 to sit second individually after the opening 18 holes.
- Three Golden Knights at 71: Parrini, Seppanen and Lenze all finished Sunday's round at 1-under.
UP NEXT
The Howard "Bud" Elwell Invitational concludes Monday with the final round at Whispering Woods Golf Club.
This story was written using the support of AI.
