BETHPAGE, N.Y. — In its first event since the Salem NCAA Regional back in May, the LIU men's golf team showed it will be a force in 2023-24.

The Sharks finished among the elite teams at the season-opening Doc Gimmler at Bethpage Red on Sunday.

LIU was fourth among the 15 teams, with Lewis Wright and Taimur Malik finishing tied for eighth with three-round totals of four-under 206.

"We came in excited and with high expectations," coach Ben Belfield said. "We feel like we have a very talented squad, and we're excited to see how we stacked up in the first tournament."

Despite the solid results, Belfield suggested LIU is capable of far more as the season ensues.

Marcelo Mexsen, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year, who had earned a spot in the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica's 2023 Jalisco Open Guadalajara in June, shot a one-under 209 to finish tied for 18th overall.

Mexsen was lights-out putting throughout his three rounds, although he aims to put himself in better position for those putts going forward.

Freshman Arjun Singh Bhatia, making his LIU debut like Malik, tied for 22nd with an even-par 210.

"He was impressive in his first event and has lots of potential," Belfield said. "I look forward to seeing him progress."
 
LIU returns to action next weekend at the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington, Conn.