McCormick, S.C. – The No. 2 University of North Georgia (UNG) men's golf team sits in first place after 36 holes at the Savannah Lakes Men's Fall Invitational at Monticello Golf Club in McCormick, S.C.

The Nighthawks led the field after shooting a combined 8-under par in the first two rounds. Erskine (even par) finished the first day in second place followed by Lenoir-Rhyne (1-over), Tusculum (8-over) and Emmanuel (9-over).

Play in the first event of the fall began Monday morning for the Nighthawks and the team quickly got out to a hot start at the 7,032-yard, par-72 Monticello GC.

Junior Rhett Smith had the best opening round as he capitalized on four birdies for a 3-under 69 to start the day. 

Fellow junior Colby Bennett joined Smith in red numbers with one bogey and two birdies on the day for a 1-under 71. 

2025 NCAA Division II Men's Golf Individual National Championship Hunter Smith started his third season with the Nighthawks on Monday. The senior opened with an even par 72.

Junior Grant Langford was the final scoring UNG golfer of the opening round. The LaFayette, Ga. native closed the first 18 holes at 1-over. 

In round two, all four scoring Nighthawks went below par.

Langford utilized three birdies for a 1-under 71. Meanwhile Rhett Smith and Bennett filled their scorecards with red numbers as each player posted six birdies in round two and also finished at 1-under. 

Hunter Smith had the best second round of any UNG golfer with four birdies for a 2-under 70 to close play on Monday. 

Rhett Smith currently leads the way individually for UNG, combining to go 4-under par between the two rounds as he sits in third place on the 96-player leaderboard. Hunter Smith and Colby Bennett follow, each in sixth place at 2-under, while Langford finished even par and in 12th place after 36 holes.

Round three in the event begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 9 with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun tee time. The Nighthawks are in search of their 14th victory in the last four seasons. A victory would improve on UNG's already staggering 33.3 winning percentage from the last three years.