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APALACHIN, N.Y. – The Binghamton golf program had yet another memorable day at its home tournament, the Matthews Auto Collegiate Golf Invitational, as the Bearcats tied not one, but two program records during the first round Sunday at The Links at Hiawatha Landing.
Binghamton tied its lowest team score in a single round, shooting 277/11-under par to put itself in second place. Meanwhile, Sean Shen tied the lowest individual score in a single round in program history by shooting 66/6-under par. He sits in second place out 84 golfers on the individual leaderboard.
“I think the guys did pretty good today,” said Shen. “We’re trying our best to take the trophy back home this year.”
The only other time the Bearcats ever shot 11-under par in a round came seven years prior in the same round of the same event, the opening day of the 2018 Matthews Auto Intercollegiate. Binghamton ran away with the team trophy with a score of 277-285 = 562/14-under par, the last time the Bearcats won their home event. Both Justin Lane and Zak Ottman shared medalist honors for Binghamton that year.
On Sunday, Shen posted six birdies as well as an eagle on the ninth hole to complete his career-best round. The senior, who has previously finished in the top 10 at this event twice in his career (tied for eighth in 2022 and tied for 10th in 2024), tied Ethan Katz and Gray Potter for the lowest score in a single round in program history. Katz shot 6-under par in the 2010 Lafayette Invitational, while Potter shot that same score in the 2015 Missouri Invitational. Shen also nearly tied this record in the final round of the 2024 Howard/USF Intercollegiate when he shot 65/5-under par.
Shen’s performance highlights a stellar day for the Bearcats where four of their five starters finished the day under par. Harrison Blech, who earned his first collegiate top 10 finish at the 2024 Matthews Auto Collegiate Golf Invitational, is currently tied for eighth at 69/3-under par. Jack Tebeau and Brandon Conner, meanwhile, are tied for 18th at 71/1-under par. Tebeau, a freshman competing in his first Matthews Auto Collegiate Golf Invitational, posted the lowest round of his young career at Binghamton on Sunday. His performance included an eagle on the 11th hole, as well as four birdies.
Conner, who finished tied for second at this event in 2023, posted an eagle on the 14th hole to go along with two birdies.
Iona is in first place at 275/13-under par. Sahir Balyan leads the individual leaderboard after he shot 65/7-under par for the Gaels.
The final round of the Matthews Auto Collegiate Golf Invitational begins Monday at 9 a.m.
Matthews Auto is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Golf.
