ROSLYN HARBOR, NY -- The 2010-11 Apprentice School golf season started on Thursday with an impressive dual-match victory over the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Engineers Country Club.

Each team put in two teams and the Builders' Maroon squad won the event with a 309 while the Builders' Gold team took second with a 358.  The hosts A team was third with a 373, while its B team was fourth with a 378.

Freshman Ben Hunter shot an even-par 70 to take the medalist honors in his first collegiate match.  Junior Kyle Radcliff was next at 78, while sophomore Michael Hastings and senior Wade Traynham were tied for third with James Smith of USMMA with a 79.

The Engeinners Country Club hosted the PGA Championship in 1919 and the U.S. Amateur in 1920.  Its also hosted a U.S. Open qualifier in 1999 on the course that dates back to 1917.

The 309 round was the second lowest round for the golf team since Joey Maben took over as head coach in the spring of 2009.  Apprentice School shot 300 in a four-team match at The Woodlands in Hampton in March of 2009.

On Saturday, the Builders will start a two-day dual match with SUNY Delhi in Delhi, NY.