April 24, 2009

Senior captain James Gifford shot a first round score of 71 to lead the field at one under par and pace the Siena men's golf team to second place following the first day of the 2009 MAAC Championships Friday at the Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, Fla. The Saints are just two strokes back of Iona which leads the team competition through the first 18 of 54 scheduled holes.

The Saints shot a team score of 297, just nine shots over par. The score is better than any single round the team shot last season when it finished sixth in the nine team field.

Siena trails the Gaels by just two strokes after Iona shot a team score of 295. Defending MAAC Champion Loyola is third after the opening round, five shots behind Iona and three strokes back of the Saints.

Gifford stands tied with defending individual champion Michael Mulieri of Loyola and Anthony Rubeo at his one under par score of 71. Teammate and fellow captain Dan Abbondandolo is also amongst the individual leaders following a +2 round of 74, placing him just three shots off the lead.

Additionally, all members of the Siena contingent impressively shot 80 or better on Friday. Don DeNyse III (76), Jeff Smith (76) and Nick Miller (80) rounded out the field for the Saints.

The middle round of the championships resumes tomorrow morning with 18 more holes in Celebration, Fla.