Spartans, Hatters Tied Atop Stetson Tourney Leaderboard
11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Nov. 3, 2008
DeLand, Fla. - The Stetson/CFSC Fall Invitational is shaping up to be a battle between Atlantic Sun Conference heavyweights as the USC Upstate and Stetson men's golf teams are tied atop the standings after 36 holes Monday and will enter Tuesday's final round with a seven stroke advantage.
Upstate and Stetson turned in a 36-hole 590 total, though the teams went about getting there in different ways. Upstate turned in the second-lowest total in the first round, a 293. The 293 was two strokes higher than Rollins' 291 total and five shots better than Stetson's 598. Upstate's score rose in the second round as the Spartans carded a 297. Rollins fell off the pace with a 309, while Stetson countered with a 292 to tie Upstate atop the standings.
"The second round was not as good as the first," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "We made a mess of it in the middle of the round, but battled back to turn a poor score into a pretty solid effort. I think we will need to shoot even-par tomorrow to have a chance to win the tournament. Stetson is playing on their home course and has a natural advantage. They are comfortable with where they need to play their shots and in reading putts."
Upstate and Stetson will carry a seven-stroke lead over Florida Atlantic (597) into the final round Tuesday at the Victoria Hills Country Club. Rollins (600) is fourth and is followed by Bethune-Cookman (603), Jacksonville (603), South Carolina State (613) and Florida A&M (620) in the eight-team tournament.
The play of Michael Lawrence paced the Spartans into its first-place standing after 36 holes. Lawrence is at 1-under-par for the tournament, finishing with rounds of 73 (+1) and 70 (-2) to stand at 143. He will take the individual lead into the final round Tuesday, a one-shot lead over Stetson's Thomas Parker.
"Michael was really steady in the morning and hit some solid shots in his second round," said Lawton. "He bogeyed a couple of holes in the second round, but birdied four holes, including three on the back nine, to shoot 70. The afternoon conditions got a little windy and fatigue was setting in for everyone. He had been at the course since 6:30 this morning and had played 27 holes when he started the back nine. That is what was the most impressive thing about his performance."
Three other Spartans find themselves in position for Top 20 finishes in the tournament. Josh Gallman is tied for sixth with a 4-over 148 total. Baxter Culler is tied for 12th at 149, while Tyler Tucker is tied for 16th at 150. Jamie Lightsey is tied for 38th with a 159 total.
Lawrence and Lightsey were the only two Spartans to lower their scores from the first round to the second. Lawrence shaved three strokes off his first round score in the second round, finishing at 2-under 70. Lightsey shaved a stroke off his total in the second round, improving from 80 to 79 in the second round.
Upstate is looking to win its first team title in the 2008-09 season. The Spartans won two team championships last season. In addition, Lawrence will try to become Upstate's first individual champion of the year after the team had six individual champions last season.
