Stephen F. Austin
SHSU Men's Invitational
'Jacks Hold Top Spot at SHSU Invite
10/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 13, 2008
CONROE, Texas - Fresh off the victory at the Stono Ferry Cup last week, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack golf team is looking to make it two wins in a row. The Lumberjacks got out to a great start in the opening round of the 2008 SHSU Men's Invitational at the Elkins Lake Golf Club leading the field with a 12-under par 563. SFA leads tournament-host Sam Houston State by three strokes.
"This tournament is a great benchmark to see how we stack up against other teams in our conference," said head coach Trey Schroeder. "We are right where we want to be heading into tomorrow's final round. I feel confident every time we step on the course because we have a very deep team. Similar to last week, we will focus on playing our game, and staying within ourselves. We get into trouble when we lose focus, and we wind up beating ourselves."
SFA jumped out to a big lead recording a eight-under 279 in the opening round, and followed that up with a three-under par 284 in the second round. The 'Jacks have three golfers in the field's top 10 led by sophomore Michael Smith. After shooting even par in the opening round, Smith recorded the lowest overall score in the second round with a four-under 67. Smith's 138 is only one stroke off Sam Houston State's Caleb LaNorman who finished the day with a 137.
Classmate Kyle Robbins shot a two-under 69 in the opening round, and stands tied for fifth overall with a 141 heading into Tuesday's final round of action. Robbins is tied with teammate Josh Irving, who opened the tournament with a one-under 70. Irving closed out the day shooting a 71.
Senior Chad Spencer is currently tied for 21st overall with a 146. Spencer shot an opening-round 69, but struggled in the second round with a six-over 77. Sophomore Jacob Taylor struggled in the first round recording a team-high 80, but battled back in the second round with a three-over par 74. He finished the day tied for 42nd overall with a 154.
The Lumberjacks have three golfers who entered the tournament playing as individuals who also had a strong opening day of action. Freshman Matt Oates opened with a three-under 68, and ended the day with a one-under par 142. Oates' score places him tied for seventh overall. Freshman Stetson McMillan is only three strokes back of Collins with a 76-69-145. Freshman Jordan Wynn posted an 80-73-153 for the 'Jacks in the opening day of competition.
"The great thing about this team is that we have individuals who aren't being counted on as a part of the team score who are among the top 10," said Schroeder. "Everyone is really playing well from top to bottom. We just have to keep this going through tomorrow."
The 'Jacks will return to the Elkins Lake Golf Club for the final round of the SHSU Men's Invitational Tuesday morning. The final round of action is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m.
-SFA-
SHSU Men's Invitational Oct. 13, 2008 Elkins Lake Fall Invitational - Conroe, Texas Team Score 1. Stephen F. Austin 279-284 - 563 2. Sam Houston State 285-281 - 566 3. Oklahoma City 279-294 - 573 4. Oklahoma Christian 280-294 - 574 5. Texas-Pan American 297-285 - 582 6. Tyler JC 301-288 - 589 7. Sam Houston State `B' 287-307 - 594 8. Texas Wesleyan 304-293 - 597 9. Nicholls 296-309 - 605 10. McNeese State 307-301 - 608 11. Centenary 304-311 - 615
