Manchester, N.H.- The defending NE10 Champion Le Moyne College men's golf team kicked off their season Monday and Tuesday, participating in the Penman Fall Invitational, hosted by Southern New Hampshire University. The tournament was held at Derryfield Country Club on the Blue Course, which is a par 70 and played from 6555 yards.
 
The Dolphins placed third out of 11 teams, with a three-round total of 887. After rounds of 298 and 292 on the first day to land in sixth place, the Dolphins shot a combined 297 in the third round, giving them a two-shot advantage over Dominican College.
 
The host team of Southern New Hampshire won the team competition after shooting three combined rounds of 280 and being even par. Matt Conti led the Penman and won the individual competition after scoring four-under par with rounds of 67, 68, and 71. His total of 206 was four strokes better than Post University's Ethan Phillips.
 
Junior Nicholas Bove (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee), who won the individual competition at last year's NE10 Championship, placed 10th after three consecutive rounds of 73, totaling 219.

Sophomore Tyler Birdd (Elma, N.Y./Iroquois) placed 14th despite a rocky first round of 78. Birdd rebounded with a 69 in round two and 73 in the final round.
 
Junior Maxwell Dec (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) placed tied for 31st after two rounds of 73 and a final round of 80, for a total score of 226.

Graduate student Ryan Johnson (Norwich, N.Y./Norwich) shot rounds of 76, 77, and 75, totaling 228, on his way to placing tied for 36th.

Junior Luke Barney (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) placed tied for 42nd with rounds of 76, 80, and 76, totaling 232.
 
Playing as an individual, freshman Johnny Gruninger (Syracuse, N.Y./Manlius Pebble Hill) placed tied for sixth in his first collegiate tournament. He was just three over par through the three rounds, carding a 213, off of rounds of 72, 70, and 71.
 
The Dolphins tee off next on October 4 and 5th at the NE-10 Championship at Concord Country Club, in Concord, New Hampshire.
 
For the latest updates and information on the Le Moyne Dolphins Men's Golf program, follow the team's Twitter/Instagram accounts (@LeMoyneMGolf) and visit the Athletics website (LeMoyneDolphins.com).