SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 19) -- The Nichols College men's golf team had its best outing of the spring so far with a third-place finish at the Western New England Invitational Thursday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Springfield. The Bison finished just five strokes behind Endicott and three back from second-place finisher Salem State.

First year Kevin Wheeler led the Bison, finishing tied for fourth on the individual leaderboard with a 76 (+4). Nick Masciadrelli was one stroke back in a tie for sixth. Tyler Sleeper shot an 80 to tie for 14th, while John Juterbock finished in 39th with an 86 and Sam Scott tied for 44th with a 90.

Nick Zolotas of Salem State defeated Brett Malboeuf of Endicott on the first playoff hole to take top honors. Both finished one-over at 73.

Nichols is back in action this weekend at the Johnson & Wales Invitational at the Cranston Country Club.

Team Scores –
1.      Endicott 314
2.      Salem State 316
3.      Nichols College 319
4 (tie). WNE (white) 320
4 (tie). UMass Dartmouth 320
6.      Springfield 325
7.      Elms 329
8.      Westfield State 332
9 (tie) Babson 335
9 (tie) WNE (blue) 335
11.      Wesleyan 364


Individual Results (Par 72, 6433 yards)

4th (tie) - 76 - Kevin Wheeler (Nichols)
6th (tie) - 77 - Nick Masciadrelli (Nichols)
14th (tie) - 80 - Tyler Sleeper (Nichols)
39th (tie) - 86 – John Juterbock (Nichols)
44th (tie) - 90 - Sam Scott (Nichols)