The KSU men’s golf team finished second in the Linger Longer Intercollegiate tournament on Sunday after rain caused the tournament to be cut short at 36 holes of competition.
“It was a great week from start to finish. The guys played outstanding golf,” said KSU head coach Jay Moseley. “We’ve been talking about consistency all year long and we went out on a golf course that we are pretty familiar with. The scoring conditions weren’t ideal but it was a tough weekend for everyone with the weather.
The Owls co-hosted the tournament with fellow Atlantic Sun Conference member and Rival, Mercer. The tournament opened Saturday at Great Waters at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA.
The tournament had called for a 54 hole, 3-round schedule, but the lingering chance of rain forced the tournament to be called early. The tournament was called after the teams had played the first 36 holes.
The Owls were competing in the tournament for their eighth straight year. They bested their career finish at the tournament last season when they placed fourth in the event with a score of 9-over par 873. The Owls looked to defeat back-to-back defending tournament champion Alabama over the weekend.
The tournament started with weather conditions making for a messy day full of delays and suspensions. Despite the weather and constant interruptions, KSU sophomore Austin Vick was able to maintain solid play and lead the Owls in a fight for second place. After the rain delayed the tournament for nearly two and a half hours, the second round was suspended due to darkness.
“I really, really was proud with the way the guys hung in there after some tough scoring early on and working throughout the delay,” Moseley said. “After the delay we took advantage of some good scoring conditions. We played consistent through the whole day and that was something we’ve working on all year.”
The Owls continued to fight hard. They were able to keep momentum while dealing with the continuing stoppages of play. Vick tied for fifth with 3-under total of 141. He was consistent in both rounds, shooting 70 and 71.
“I felt like a hit a lot of good iron shots this week and that was the biggest thing for me, hitting a lot of solid shots and not making the mistakes I normally do,” Vick said. “I had a great week and it was a lot of fun for me.”
The Owls placed five golfers in the top 23. In addition to Vick, senior Peder Lunde Hermansson tied for 17th after shooting an even-par 144.
Sophomore sensation Jimmy Beck tied for 21st at 1-over par 145. Junior Jonathon Klotz tied for 23rd and finished at 2-over par 146.
KSU finished second, failing to defeat Alabama, who won the tournament for a third consecutive year. However, the Owls were able to defeat five teams ranked in top 50 by Golfstat.
“We beat a lot of really good teams this week, so I think it is really going to carry over and give us a lot of momentum and confidence that we can do well the rest of the season and hopefully get a few more wins before nationals roll around,” Vick said.
KSU will play its final regular-season tournament before the A-Sun Conference Championships when it travels to Charlotte, N.C., to compete in the Irish Creek Classic at the Irish Creek Golf Club.
