WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Looking to get back into the NAIA national tournament, the Midway men's golf team wasted no time pushing itself against some of the nation's best competition.

The Eagles opened the spring portion of their schedule at the Kona Ice Keiser Kup, finishing ninth in a 14-team field that included three teams ranked in the NAIA top-10.

Midway shot a 71-over-par, three-day score of 923, which was four-strokes better than 10th-ranked Marian (Ind.). Host Keiser, the No. 3 team in the nation, played two different teams, who took the top-two spots at 872 (+20) and 874.

The Eagles also finished ahead of a pair of River States Conference foes in Rio Grande, which was 12th with a score of 941 (+89), and St. Mary of the Woods, which was 14th at 1,055 (+203).

Hayes Mason closed the first two days in third place in the 80-golfer field, shooting just one-over par at 143 while converting five birdie putts. Though he struggled a bit on the final day Tuesday, shooting a +11 score of 82, he was still able to land in a tie for 20th, with a final tally of 225 (+12)

Just two strokes and four spots behind was teammate Jack Bedell, who was a model of consistency throughout the tournament, shooting a 75 on the first day and a 76 on each of the last two.

Elsewhere for Midway, Gage Gregory was 39th with a 232 (+19), Benjamin Spencer was 60th at 241 (+28) and Tristan Mitchell was 66th at 247 (+34).

The Eagles will return to the links next Monday and Tuesday, traveling to Columbia Ky. for the Blue Raider Invitational, hosted by Lindsey Wilson.