Alabama Takes Lead after Day Two of Schenkel E-Z-GO
3/15/2008 4:06:00 AM | Men's Golf
STATESBORO, Ga. - No. 2 Alabama shot a 280 in the second round to move up a spot into the lead, Saturday (Mar. 15) at the 29th Annual Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational played at the par-72 6,962-yard Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga.
Entering the day three strokes behind Friday's leader (Tennessee), the Crimson Tide shot the day's second lowest 18, carding an 8-under 280 and claiming the first spot with a team total 11-under 565. Among a field of 18 schools, Alabama finished the day two strokes better than runner up No. 20 South Carolina (-9) with one more round of 18 remaining in the three-day tournament.
Alabama and South Carolina are joined by three others to have finished the day below par, including No. 12 Florida (-7), No. 8 Tennessee (-5) and No. 29 UAB (-1).
Florida used a tournament-low 9-under 279 to jump from sixth to third place. Much of Florida's success came at the hands of Manuel Villegas and Billy Horschel, who finished the day tying for first with four other individuals. Joining the two Gators are Blazers Brad Smith and Zach Sucher (UAB), George Bryan (South Carolina) and Matthew Swan (Alabama), each recording a 5-under 139 after 36 holes. Bryan's second-round 66 is a low for this year's tournament.
Georgia Southern shot an even-par 288 - the day's fifth-lowest score - to jump up three spots and finish the round in 11th place at 13-over 589. Starting on the back nine, the Eagles were paced by freshman Logan Blondell (Lakeland, Fla.) who secured a 3-under 79 outing on the day to finish tied for 12th place at 2-under 142.
“Obviously Logan played great,” said head coach Larry Mays. “He birdied three of his last four holes to shoot a 69 which is a good round. And then we had another three rounds - 72 (Ryan LeFevre), 73 (Ryan Zabroske) and 74 (Jordan Johnstun). We started on the back nine and played very well back there, shooting an even par on the back, then we turned around and shot even-par on the front. It was a good performance.”
After 36 holes, LeFevre (Boca Raton, Fla.) sits tied for 49th place with a 5-over 149. Drew Lethem (Camdenton, Mo.) shot a 76 on the day and sits tied for 55th place at 6-over 150. Both Zabroske (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Johnstun (Evans, Ga.) are 7-over 151, tying for 63rd place.
Competing as individuals, sophomore Spencer Fulford (Rocky Mount, N.C.) and freshman Joe Monte (Chantilly, Va.) secured a spot among the top 20 leader board. Fulford shot a 70 and Monte carded a 71 on the day and sit at even-par 144 going into Sunday's third and final round.
“I feel like we redeemed ourselves a little bit,” said Mays. “Hopefully we can come out and have an even better round tomorrow and jump up the leader board a few more spots.”
Golfers will tee off an hour earlier for the final round, Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Georgia Southern will start off on the 10th tee at 9:39 a.m.
Fans can follow the action on-line with the latest statistics and results at www.Golfstat.com. For more information on each participating school, the course and more, visit www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com, go to the golf page, and then click on the tournament central ad.
Entering the day three strokes behind Friday's leader (Tennessee), the Crimson Tide shot the day's second lowest 18, carding an 8-under 280 and claiming the first spot with a team total 11-under 565. Among a field of 18 schools, Alabama finished the day two strokes better than runner up No. 20 South Carolina (-9) with one more round of 18 remaining in the three-day tournament.
Alabama and South Carolina are joined by three others to have finished the day below par, including No. 12 Florida (-7), No. 8 Tennessee (-5) and No. 29 UAB (-1).
Florida used a tournament-low 9-under 279 to jump from sixth to third place. Much of Florida's success came at the hands of Manuel Villegas and Billy Horschel, who finished the day tying for first with four other individuals. Joining the two Gators are Blazers Brad Smith and Zach Sucher (UAB), George Bryan (South Carolina) and Matthew Swan (Alabama), each recording a 5-under 139 after 36 holes. Bryan's second-round 66 is a low for this year's tournament.
Georgia Southern shot an even-par 288 - the day's fifth-lowest score - to jump up three spots and finish the round in 11th place at 13-over 589. Starting on the back nine, the Eagles were paced by freshman Logan Blondell (Lakeland, Fla.) who secured a 3-under 79 outing on the day to finish tied for 12th place at 2-under 142.
“Obviously Logan played great,” said head coach Larry Mays. “He birdied three of his last four holes to shoot a 69 which is a good round. And then we had another three rounds - 72 (Ryan LeFevre), 73 (Ryan Zabroske) and 74 (Jordan Johnstun). We started on the back nine and played very well back there, shooting an even par on the back, then we turned around and shot even-par on the front. It was a good performance.”
After 36 holes, LeFevre (Boca Raton, Fla.) sits tied for 49th place with a 5-over 149. Drew Lethem (Camdenton, Mo.) shot a 76 on the day and sits tied for 55th place at 6-over 150. Both Zabroske (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Johnstun (Evans, Ga.) are 7-over 151, tying for 63rd place.
Competing as individuals, sophomore Spencer Fulford (Rocky Mount, N.C.) and freshman Joe Monte (Chantilly, Va.) secured a spot among the top 20 leader board. Fulford shot a 70 and Monte carded a 71 on the day and sit at even-par 144 going into Sunday's third and final round.
“I feel like we redeemed ourselves a little bit,” said Mays. “Hopefully we can come out and have an even better round tomorrow and jump up the leader board a few more spots.”
Golfers will tee off an hour earlier for the final round, Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Georgia Southern will start off on the 10th tee at 9:39 a.m.
Fans can follow the action on-line with the latest statistics and results at www.Golfstat.com. For more information on each participating school, the course and more, visit www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com, go to the golf page, and then click on the tournament central ad.
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