TOWSON, Md. – Senior Michael Chanaud is thankful for a second chance to be a member of the Towson University golf team.
 
"I took (being a member of the Towson golf team) for granted before," Chanaud said. "I made Towson's team as a freshman and didn't take advantage of it. I ended up being released from the team during the middle of my sophomore year. That just motivated me to play better. I made a mistake once and I am not going to do it again. I am ready to compete this year."
 
An accounting major, Chanaud proved that during the fall where he competed in six tournaments and posted a 74.9 average. In his first fall tournament, Chanaud made an immediate statement that he was serious. He fired a career low 66 that helped him tie for seventh in a field of 83 golfers at the Rutgers Invitational. More importantly, it helped the Tigers win the tournament.
 
He tied for ninth at the Hartford Hawk Invitational after finishing one under par for the event. Last weekend as the Tigers opened their spring schedule by finishing sixth at the Gary Freeman Invitational, Chanaud was 12 over par. He'll be looking to improve when the Tigers compete against Florida Atlantic Tuesday at the Delaire Country Club in Boca Raton.
 
Dylan Stein was Towson's top performer in the tournament, finishing the weekend with a 54-hole score of 218. He finished 12th overall. Ryan Siegler also placed among the top 25 as he finished 23rd overall. James Grem was one under in the final round after carding a 71. He finished the tournament 26th overall.
 
"We are looking to be more consistent as a team," Chanaud said. "During our first tournament, we had some good rounds and some bad rounds, which doesn't add up to great scores and compete very well. We are looking to get around par and put up some solid numbers as a team."
 
Chanaud, who has been playing golf since eighth grade, had a strong summer in which he finished third at the DSGA Amateur Championships. He held the lead heading into the final round of that tournament. That finished fueled his desire to return to Towson's golf team, which fortunately has worked out for him.
 
"He's really worked hard, which is good to see," Towson men's golf coach Brian Yaniger said. "He also realized how much he missed being away. He is competing at a higher level and his focus is much better now."
 
In addition to Chanaud, competing for Towson this weekend are Grem, Siegler, Stein, Juan Veloza and John Hulede

Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic University earned its first win of the season at the Don Benbow Invitational last Tuesday with a two-round score of 577. FAU's top golfers were seniors Michael Perez and Derron Peyton, who each carded a one-under 141 for the tournament tying for second overall.
 
Following this match, the Tigers will compete in the William & Mary Kingsmill Invitational at the Rivers Course in Kingsmill, which will be from Sunday, March 20 through Tuesday, March 22.