BELLE VERNON, Pa. -- Point Park University men's golf opened its fall season at the California (Pa.) University Invitational this past weekend. It was an NCAA Division II event with 10 of the 16 teams in attendance coming from that level. The 54-hole tournament was held at Cedarbrook Golf Course. 

Point Park turned in some of its best team scores in many years, which started off with a score of 310 in the first round on Sunday. Playing a second 18 that same day, the Pioneers carded 319 as a team. Point Park responded on Monday with a score of 306, their best of the weekend and the best in at least five years for the program. 

Troy Loughry led the way in his Point Park debut. The junior college All-American transfer from Butler County CC placed tied for fourth individually. That was with three strong rounds of 74-73-72. He was 3-over par over the 54 holes, including even par in the final round. 

Loughry was just five shots off the lead, which was medalist Ryan Ferry. He was the only player under par for the weekend shooting 2-under and leading Gannon to the team title. 

There were four teams close at the top with Gannon, Pitt-Johnstown, Millersville and host California all under 900 for the weekend. The next eight teams were separated by just 13 shots from 910 to 923. Point Park was the next team outside that grouping of teams shooting a total of 935 over the two days. 

The first and third rounds saw the Pioneers place three players in the 70s and one in the low 80s. Anthony Santilli started out with rounds of 76 and 78 on Sunday and finished with an 80. Newcomer Tharcisse Kalinda finished strong with a 75 on Monday. That was after opening up with 79 and 82.

Tyler Hillard, a senior, made it four Point Park players who scored in the 70s during the weekend with his 79 in the final round. Freshman Alex Zinz had his best score of 81 in the first round, which was counted in the team score. i

The Pioneers take their final-round 306 -- which include Loughry at 72, Kalinda 75, Hillard 79 and Santilli 80 -- into their next tournament Sept. 14 at Grove City.