VALDOSTA, Ga. — Southeastern men's golf delivered a competitive performance at the Kinderlou Forest Spring Invite, placing fourth in a strong eight-team field after 54 holes at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. The Fire finished at 892 (+28) on the par-72, 7,257-yard layout, competing against multiple nationally ranked programs over two rounds Monday and a final round Tuesday.
Southeastern's week was defined by a sharp bounce-back in round two and steady individual efforts throughout the lineup. After opening with a 308 (+20) on Monday morning, the Fire regrouped in the afternoon and fired a 283 (-5), the best team rounds in the field. That surge moved SEU squarely into contention entering the final 18 holes.
The Fire closed with a 301 (+13) on Tuesday to lock in fourth place, finishing just one shot behind No. 6 Dalton State (+27) and two strokes clear of No. 2 Reinhardt (+30). No. 12 Coastal Georgia claimed the team title at 880 (+16), with No. 22 Point second at +24.
As a team, Southeastern held its own statistically, playing the par-5s at two under for the tournament while recording two eagles, 27 birdies, and 174 pars. The ability to generate pars and limit big numbers kept the Fire in the mix on a demanding course.
Zach Shaw paced Southeastern and finished tied for second overall at 215 (-1), just one shot off medalist honors. Shaw opened with a 71 (-1) and then produced one of the best rounds of the tournament with a 67 (-5) in round two. His second round featured clean ball-striking and efficient scoring, including a stretch on the front nine where he played several holes under par to reach 31 on his outward side.
Through 36 holes, Shaw sat at six under and in prime position near the top of the leaderboard. He closed with a 77 (+5) in the final round but still secured a share of second. For the week, Shaw totaled two eagles, eight birdies, and 35 pars while playing the par-5s at five under.
Connor Williams added a top-20 finish, tying for 17th at 225 (+9). He improved as the tournament progressed, rebounding from an opening 79 with a second-round 72 that counted toward the team's low round. He followed with a 74 on Tuesday to cap a steady finish that included six birdies and 34 pars.
Scott Starbuck tied for 19th at 227 (+11) and delivered a key performance in round two. His 70 (-2) was one of SEU's most important scores during the team's 283 and represented a 12-shot improvement from his first round. Starbuck ultimately recorded 35 pars for the week and played the par-5s under par.
Gray Ottman finished tied for 21st at 228 (+12). He showed consistency across the three rounds with scores of 79, 74, and 75, and he was particularly reliable in avoiding major mistakes. Ottman piled up 39 pars, one of the higher totals among Southeastern players.
Marley Read rounded out the Fire lineup in a tie for 31st at 231 (+15). His second-round 74 contributed to the team's afternoon surge on Monday, and he closed with a 78 in the final round.
Dalton State's Ben McFadden earned individual medalist honors at 214 (-2), edging a three-way tie for second that included Shaw.
Looking ahead, Southeastern will return to action March 9–10 at the Carey Collegiate in Hattiesburg, Miss., hosted at Canebrake Country Club. The two-day event will give the Fire another opportunity to build on their strong showing at Kinderlou and continue sharpening their lineup against quality competition as the spring season progresses.
