MOBILE, Ala. – With two rounds in the 60s over the weekend and a pair of match play victories Monday, University of South Alabama junior men’s golfer Chris Piumelli earned the title at the Labor Day Invitational held at the Country Club of Mobile.

“Playing well this week was fun, but more than anything it was an introduction to the fall by getting me to compete again,” observed Piumelli.   “I really enjoy getting to go out there, we only play there a few times each semester.  The golf course just fits my eye really well, it’s just a blast.

“I played solid all weekend, didn’t make many bogies and made a whole bunch of birdies.”

Piumelli, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla., opened the event with a 3-under-par 68 on Saturday, following up with a 69 Sunday in the second round to determine match play seeding.  His 5-under-par 137 total was tied for third in a field of 80 individuals, one behind the co-leaders.

Seeded third, Piumelli defeated No. 2 seed Sam Love of UAB 3-and-1 in the morning, then came back to earn a 6-and-5 victory over top-seeded Zack Primavera of Mississippi in the afternoon.

“This was big, it was definitely a confidence booster,” Piumelli said.  “There were a bunch of good players out there, not just those two.  I had to play well to beat them, so it has me moving in the right direction for the fall.”

Piumelli and the Jaguars will open the 2010-11 season Monday with two rounds at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate hosted by Southern Mississippi.

“One of the reasons I played in this event is because we’ve been to the course we’re going to play at Southern Miss, and the two are similar,” Piumelli stated.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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