Final Results

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – For the first time in four years, the George Mason men's golf team captured a tournament championship.

With senior Kyle Hart securing medalist honors, the Patriots finished first as a team at the Navy Spring Invitational on Sunday at the Naval Academy Golf Course. Mason won the 36-hole, two-day tournament with a 19-over 587 (296-291) to edge runner-up St. John's by six strokes.

After three third-place finishes this season, the Patriots finally broke through. They last won a tournament championship on April 13, 2013 when they finished first at the Manor Intercollegiate in Farmville, Va.

"I'm very proud of this team," Mason head coach Scott King said. "We have come a long way in the past 18 months. We have been close several times but today we sealed the deal for the first time in a while… Tough weekend with the weather on Saturday and course conditions. We battled through everything and it was a total team effort. This is a huge confidence boost heading into the Atlantic 10 Championship next weekend."

Hart led the way by claiming medalist honors, shooting even-par 142 (73-69) to win by a stroke. It was the second individual title of his collegiate career and the second time this season a Patriot (Eric Edwards at the Elon Phoenix Invitational) has finished first.

Hart shot a 2-over 73 on Saturday to put him just two strokes back of the leader. On Sunday, the native of Midlothian, Va., shot a two-under 69 and birdied two of his final three holes to finish atop the leaderboard.

"Kyle has been on his game all spring and been close to winning several times," King said. "He struggled a bit on the front nine but was 5-under on the back nine today, making an eagle on 14 and birdies on 16 and 18 to close it out. (Assistant coach Don Kelly) assisted in reading several putts, including Kyle's eagle on 14 and winning birdie on 18. Having Coach Kelly with us has made a significant improvement in our program since day one."

Junior Ellis Messian, a native of San Diego, tied for eighth with a 5-over 147 (74-73). It was the first top 10 finish of his career.

"Ellis Messian has been rock steady as well all season giving us the numbers we need out of the fourth spot," King said.

Junior Eric Edwards tied for 11th with a 6-over 148 (76-72). Junior Brock Kovach (77-77) and freshman Davis Soderberg (73-81) each shot a 12-over 154 to tie for 29th. Competing as individuals, freshman Jeff Wilson placed 22nd with a 9-over 151 (77-74), freshman Takahiro Nojima tied for 23rd at 10-over 152 (80-72) and junior Wonsuk Rhee tied for 26th at 11-over 153 (76-77). Junior Trevor Tremps, also competing as an individual, tied for 62nd with a 25-over 167 (84-83).

The Patriots now close out the regular season at the Atlantic 10 Championship this Friday through Sunday at the Villas of Grand Cypress in Orlando. Mason finished seventh last year but was picked to finish fifth this season in the A-10 preseason coaches poll.