Troy University Athletics
Trojans Struggle to 307 in First Round of Sun Belt Conference Championship
4/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Golf
Sun Belt Conference Golf Championship Central
ORLANDO, Fla. - Troy struggled through windy conditions Monday in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship, posting four rounds in the upper 70s enroute to a eighth place standing after the first day. The Trojans fired a 19-over 307, 22 shots behind team leader New Orleans.
Jay Harris is tied for 15th after a team-best three-over 75 (tied for 15th), while Wes Parker and Jake Brodhead are each tied for 32nd at 77. Jordy Hayden shot a 78 to stand tied for 39th and Michael McGrady rounded out the scoring with a 79 (tie for 48th).. The individual leader was UNO's Jason Kuperman, who shot three-under 69. The Privateers had three of the four under-par rounds for the day.
Harris birdied the first two holes, chipping in from the back of the green on No. 1. Bogeys on the fifth and seventh holes brought him back to even par, but a birdie at No. 9 helped him make the turn at one-under 35. Four bogeys on the back nine were the difference as he came in at 40. He three-putted Nos. 11 and 18, could not get up and down from the sand on 12 and missed the green on No. 15.
The winds were terrible today,? Harris said. For the first eight holes, it might have been the worst I have ever played in. On a day like today, you just have to stay patient. I hit the ball extremely well and had good control, but I need to find a way to putt better.?
I am disappointed that we played one of our worst rounds of the season in the opening round of the conference tournament,? Head Coach Matt Terry said. I hope we have enough firepower over the next two days to make up the ground that we lost today.?
The Trojans tee off at beginning at 8:15 tomorrow morning for the second of their three rounds.
