MELBOURNE, Fla. (Men’s Golf) – Although it was unable to match its record-setting day one of the Titan Winter Invitational, Florida Tech concluded the tournament in second place at 16-over-par (880) on Tuesday at Suntree Country Club. In the final round, the Panthers carded a 12-over 300 on the par-72 Classic Course.

Brevard Community College never relinquished first place, shooting a nine-over 297 in the last 18 holes. The Titans finished at 11-over (875) to win the team trophy.

“We had a fantastic day yesterday,” FIT head coach Chris Saltmarsh said. “The guys really battled back in the second round and put us in position. Today, the wind picked up and we just didn’t have it. There were a couple of holes that we struggled on and we didn’t take advantage of the par fives. Normally those are birdie holes and we were making bogeys.

“We’ve had an opportunity to play here quite a bit and we know the golf course. I think they’re disappointed because our experience on this course. Playing in this tournament is fun. We always go head-to-head with Brevard (Community College). We’re going to look forward to a challenging tournament with them when they come to our place.”

After tying Zach Potter’s 36-hole program record, Christian Westhorpe jotted down a three-over 75 in the final round to place second overall at three-under (213). He was one of three Panthers to grab a top five spot. Brandon Lau, a freshman from Kota Kinabula, Malaysia, came in third at one-over (217). Patrick Sheedy tied for fifth at three-over (219).

Darton’s Joe Sakulpolphaisan narrowly beat Westhorpe by two strokes (211) for the individual trophy. He fired a two-under 70 in round three to overtake the Toronto, Ontario native.

This marks the second year the Panthers have started their spring season with a second-place finish at the Titan Winter Invitational. Now one season removed from the program’s third NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional appearance, they will look to once again use this year’s tournament as a springboard for the rest of their spring season.

FIT will now prepare for the Matlock Collegiate Classic, scheduled for Feb. 13-14 at the Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Fla.