Men’s Golf Off to Good Start at The Valspar

PALM CITY, Fla. (Seminoles.com) – The Florida State Men’s Golf team is off to a solid start at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational, tying for the lead at 6-under through the first round held at Floridian National Golf Club.

Sophomore John Pak has led the way once again, tied for second overall at 5-under after shooting a first-round 66. The Scotch Plains, N.J., native and Haskins Award Watch List member registered seven birdies in his opening round, tying for the second-most birdies in the field.

The Seminoles are tied with South Carolina and fellow ACC school Wake Forest for the team lead. Oklahoma State (-5) and Auburn (-3) are in the top five, with all five schools being the only programs under par.

Freshman Calvin Sierota continues to provide big rounds for Florida State, shooting a 2-under 69 to tie for 13th. It is Sierota’s third career round in the 60s, bolstered by his seventh-hole eagle on the par-5, 575-yarder. Sierota added three additional birdies to highlight a key round for the Seminoles.

Senior Corey Carlson is tied for 23rd at even par, shooting a 71 that included three consecutive birdies from the fifth to seventh holes. He tacked on another birdie on the par-4, 455-yard 14th hole.

Junior Jamie Li added a 1-over 72 to tie for 30th, while individual Jonathan Keppler shot a 3-over 74. Alberto Martinez shot a 4-over 75.

Florida State returns with another shot-gun start on Monday at 8:30 a.m.