2024 Skyline Conference Men's Golf Championship - Day 1 of 2
Bethpage State Park - Red Course - Par 70 (7,092 yards)

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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State men's golf team sits in first place after shooting a 299 (+19) in the opening round of the 2024 Skyline Conference Championship at Bethpage State Park's Red Course on Sunday.

The Rams hold a 20 stroke lead over second-place Mount Saint Mary College (319) heading into tomorrow's final round, which will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Sophomore CJ Merritt (Plainview, N.Y.), the reigning Player and Rookie of the Year from last year's championship, led the way for FSC with a score of 73 (+3). 

Seniors Mackenzie Kim (East Quogue, N.Y.) and Brad Castaldy (Dix Hills, N.Y.) each recorded rounds of 75 (+5). After an early double-bogey on the first hole, Castaldy bounced back and finished with a round-high four birdies on the day.

Sophomore Padruig Douglas (Northport, N.Y.) and freshman Rishi Talwar (East Farmingdale, N.Y.) rounded out the scoring for Farmingdale State, each shooting a six-over-par, 76.

The five Rams each rank in the top-6 of all competitors individually. Merritt sits alone in first place, while Kim, Castaldy and Mount Saint Vincent's Max Duenow are all tied for second. Douglas and Talwar are currently tied for fifth among the 40 competing student-athletes.

Farmingdale State is in search of their fifth consecutive Skyline Championship and eighth in the last nine seasons.