Samford finishes second at ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Samford University men’s golf team tallied its best finish of the 2013 spring season Tuesday as the Bulldogs placed second out of 20 teams at the ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate hosted by Arkansas State University at the par-72, 6,565-yard Ridgepoint Country Club.
Samford carded a final-round score of 291 on Tuesday and finished the two-day, 54-hole competition with a total team tally of 872 (296-285-291).
The Bulldogs trailed first-place Austin Peay (282-284-291=857) by 15 strokes. Samford and Austin Peay both tied for the best round of the day Tuesday with identical team scores of 291.
Rounding out the top five were Southern Illinois (295-288-295=878), Belmont (294-284-301=879) and Arkansas-Little Rock (297-288-295=880).
Individually, Samford finished with three of the top six competitors in the 112-member field.
The Bulldogs’ Casey O’Toole finished in sole possession of second place with a stellar three-round score of 5-under par 211 (70-71-70), while Drew Aimone tallied a third-place finish with a 54-hole mark of 4-under par 212 (73-69-70).
Gabe Hyde, who participated in the tournament as an individual for the Bulldogs, carded a brilliant three-round tally of 3-under par 213 (74-68-71) and finished tied for fifth place in the overall standings.
Also turning in solid scores for Samford this week were sophomore Zach Hughes (76-70-75=221), senior Bill Nabors (77-75-76=228) and true freshman Chris Clouser (80-81-82=243).
The Samford University men’s golf team will next be in action April 21-23 at Daniel Island, S.C., as the Bulldogs are slated to compete in the Southern Conference Championships, which will be held at the pristine Ralston Creek Golf Course.
Chattanooga finishes fourth at BancorpSouth Intercollegiate
MADISON, Miss. – The Chattanooga Mocs men’s golf team ended up fourth at the BancorpSouth Intercollegiate hosted by Ole Miss at the Reunion Golf and Country Club Tuesday. UTC’s 1-over par 865 was one shot out of third place (Southeastern Louisiana) but 17 clear of fourth (Southern Miss).
Steven Fox was runner-up, firing a career-best 8-under par 208. It is the second second-place finish (AutoTrader.com Collegiate) and third top-10 of 2012-13 for Fox.
Davis Bunn notched his first top-10 in a team event, (second career) with a career-low of his own at 5-under 211. He ended up tied for sixth, continuing his impressive play this spring.
Chris Robb posted another 71 (-1), matching Monday’s second-round total. He tied for 19th at 219. Benni Weilguni and Liam Johnston rounded out the team scoring, shooting 229 and 231, respectively. Alex Ratliff played as an individual, carding 243.
Mississippi State ran away with its rival’s event, shooting 18-under par 846. Central Arkansas was a distant second at 861, followed by Southeastern Louisiana (864) and the Mocs. UCA’s James Newton won medalist honors. His 10-under total of 206 bested Fox by two.
Chattanooga turns its eyes to championship season now. UTC looks to retain its Southern Conference crown April 21-23 at Ralston Creek Course on Daniel Island, S.C.
Fox tees it up at the Georgia Cup match this Thursday at the Golf Club of Georgia against British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar. The duo then heads to Augusta, Ga., for the Masters on April 11-14.
UNCG ties for ninth at BancorpSouth Intercollegiate
MADISON, Miss. – UNCG freshman golfer Taylor Coalson posted three straight rounds under par to finish in a tie for sixth place overall at the BancorpSouth Intercollegiate hosted by the University of Mississippi at the Reunion Golf and Country Club. Coalson’s play helped the Spartans post a top-10 team finish with a ninth-place standing.
Coalson tied his career-best round Tuesday, shooting a 3-under par 69 to move up two places for his second-highest finish of his career. He placed fourth earlier this season at the Pinehurst Collegiate. He recorded four birdies on the afternoon on holes No. 16, 17, 5 and 8 before recording a bogey on his final hole, No. 9. He opened the tournament with back-to-back scores of 71 Monday afternoon to post his first collegiate tournament with three rounds shot under par.
The Spartans closed out the tournament matching their best round of the season, posting a 290 to finish the 54-hole event with an 892 (305-297-290). The 892 score marked the best 54-hole total this year for UNCG and its lowest since placing second at the C&F Bank Intercollegiate last year with an 872. Nationally ranked Mississippi State won the event going away with an 18-under par 846 (281-279-286) to win the event by 15 holes over second-place Central Arkansas.
Central Arkansas’ James Newton led from start to finish after posting an even-par 72 Tuesday to finish 10-under par 206 (67-67-72). Chattanooga’s Steven Fox was second at 8-under par 208 (69-69-70), while Axel Boasson and Joe Sakulpolphaisan of Mississippi State finished tied for third at 7-under par 207.
Senior Robert Hoadley continued his solid tournament with a 3-over par 75 in round three. Hoadley finished tied for 27th place overall with a 7-over par 223 (75-73-75). Sophomore Alex Ehlert placed 51st overall with a 12-over par 228 (77-78-73) as he finished the event with a 1-over par 73 Tuesday.
Sophomore Roy Dixon notched his best round of the tournament Tuesday, shooting a 1-over par 73. Dixon recorded a season-best five birdies on the afternoon but also tallied four bogeys and a double-bogey in the up-and-down afternoon. He finished with a 232 (83-76-73) to finish the tournament in 61st place.
The Spartans return to action next week as they travel to Tampa, Fla., for the Gary Koch Invitational. The event is co-hosted by Auburn and Kentucky at the Old Memorial Golf Club and consists of 36 holes Monday and 18 holes Tuesday.