March 16, 2009

Eagles 13th after two rounds at Valdosta State Tournament

March 16, 2009

Second Round Results/Standings

VALDOSTA, GA. - The Carson-Newman Eagles are in 13th place after 36 holes at the highly-competitive First Federal Southeastern Collegiate played Monday at the par-72, 7,127-yard Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga.

The Eagles fired a team-294 in the second round to fall 26 strokes behind leader Georgia College, who leads by three. C-N, at 595 (301-294) sits just five strokes out of the top 10 and 15 strokes out of the top five with 18 holes left in the tournament.

"We're playing against a really strong field and it shows by the scores," Eagle head coach John Minor said after Monday's round. "We made alot of mistakes, including some big ones off the tee on Sunday, and we're going to have a tough time getting shots back against this field. Today was a step in the right direction though we still have yet to play our best."

Junior Brad Robinson (Johnson City, Tenn.) is six strokes off the pace at 1-under, after firing a 143 (71-72) in the first two rounds. Robinson was the only Eagle not to improve on his first-day score. He is in a tie for 13th with 18 holes left to play.

Junior Cory Hinchey (Abingdon, Va.) is at 4-over par with an even-par 72 in his second round (76-72) to cut four strokes off his opening-round score, while freshman Liam Ashby (Dublin, Ireland) and sophomore Blake Howard (Johnson City, Tenn.) each shaved three strokes off of their first round.

Ashby fired a second-round 74 to move to +7 for the tourney. Howard carded a 76 on Monday and is at +11.

Just one of five Georgia College players shot over par on the day as the Bobcats tallied a two-round total of 568 (eight-under) to claim a three stroke lead over Nova Southeastern, who was also five-under with a 283 to total a 571 for the tournament.

Host Valdosta State shot an even-par 288 to stand third with a 575 (one-under) while Lynn was fourth with a one-over 577 after also shooting a 577 on Monday. Barry jumped from eighth to fifth with a five-under 283 on Monday that gave them a three-over 579 for the tournament followed by Rollins (291 / +3) and Florida Southern (288 / E) tied for sixth at 580 (+4).

Florida Tech was also five-under on Monday and is eighth with a seven-over 583 while North Alabama (289 / +1) finished the day ninth with a 588 (+12). West Florida shot a 2898 (+10) to drop to 10th with a 13-over 589 followed by Lander (287 / -1) in 11th with a 591 (+15).

Delta State was a stroke behind and in 12th after shooting a 292 (+4) on Monday while Carson-Newman (294 / +6) and Clayton State (295 / +7) tied for 13th at 595 (+19). West Georgia (290 / +2) finished the day 15th at 596 (+20) while Chico State (294 / +6) jumped one spot to 16th at 604 (+28). Eckerd (306 / +18) rounded out the field with a two round total of 605 (+29).

The tournament will concludes with a single round of competition beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.