GLENSIDE, Pa. – Senior Daniel Barbare finished in the upper half of the field to lead the North Carolina Central University men's golf team in the Wildcat Spring Invitational hosted by Villanova University at LuLu Country Club on Monday and Tuesday.
 
Barbare and junior Kendall Wallace were in a nine-way tie for 25th out of 95 golfers after carding matching opening rounds of two-over par 73 on Monday and junior Trey Morse was in the upper half of the field with a first-round 75. However, the 6,484-yard, par-71 LuLu layout that is located just northwest of Philadelphia and is known for its punchbowl greens, provided the Eagles with some punch in the final round.
 
NCCU's top three finishers all turned in higher scorecards in the second round as the Eagles settled for 15th place. NC Central was in 13th place after an opening round 303, but a 317 in the final round allowed Wagner College and Hofstra University to move ahead of the Eagles.
 
Barbare, who led the field with three other golfers with 26 pars over the 36 holes played, made two of his three birdies during his final nine holes on Tuesday morning – including a birdie on LuLu's signature volcano hole: the 129-yard, par-3 4th hole – to post the top finish for the maroon and gray. Barbare secured a tie for 39th place with rounds of 73 and 76 for a seven-over total of 149.
 
Wallace (73-82—155) and Morse (75-83—158) each had three birdies in the open round, but they were only able to sink one birdie apiece over their final 18 holes.
 
Freshman Kyle Gregory (82-79—161) and junior Alex Burnett (87-80-167) both improved their scores on their second loops around LuLu to provide NCCU with counting team scorecards on Tuesday.
 
The host Wildcats held off La Salle to win the team title. Villanova junior Peter Weaver led the victors by winning medalist honors with a nine-under par total of 68-65—133.
 
NC Central will next make its inaugural appearance in the NEC Men's Golf Championship when the Eagles tee it up at LPGA International (Daytona Beach, Fla.) from Sunday, April 30 to Tuesday, May 2.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
 
NCCU Individual Results (95 Golfers)
T-39.  Daniel Barbare (73-76—149)
T-73.  Kendall Wallace (73-82—155)
T-83.  Trey Morse (75-83—158)
T-88.  Kyle Gregory (82-79—161)
95.  Alex Burnett (87-80—167)