University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Rutgers Invitational
Gallman, Upstate Tied For Lead At Rutgers
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 11, 2009
Piscataway, N.J. - In less than poor weather conditions, USC Upstate men's golfer Josh Gallman battled the conditions to shoot a 71 in the opening round of the Rutgers Invitational Friday afternoon at the Rutgers University Golf Course. The effort was good enough to tie for the lead heading into Saturday's final round, while pacing the Spartans into a tie for first place.
Upstate will enter the final round tied for first with host Rutgers after posting a 301 team score. Mount St. Mary's stands third heading into the final round Saturday after shooting a 304 and was followed by Central Connecticut (306), Monmouth (310), Rider (312), UMass-Lowell (315), Fairleigh Dickinson (316), Nassau CC (321), St. Peter's (322), Long Island - Brooklyn (327), Dowling (333) and Wagner (339).
A rain delay early in the round halted play with just a few players on the course. After a nearly three-hour weather delay, the players got back on the course to finish the round. The conditions were more than trying with periods of heavy rain and strong winds, but Gallman and the Spartans were able to forge through with a solid finish and are in position for a strong tournament showing.
"Since I began coaching at Upstate five years ago, I can only remember one time when there were more difficult conditions throughout a round," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "Playing in strong winds with periods of heavy rain and even dealing with a tornado watch caused the scores to go high. But, playing in these conditions will be a learning experience.
"Brian (Otis) birdied three of his last holes to post a 75. He stayed positive all day and was focused on hitting good shots and making putts. His par-save on his 17th hole was tremendous and saved his round. Josh's 71 in these conditions was amazing. He continues to show why he is the caliber of player he is."
Gallman, a senior from Gaffney, S.C., finished his round with four birdies and four bogeys in the difficult conditions to pace Upstate. The 71 matched that of Rider's Eric Lafante for the low round of the day. Otis finished as the second-lowest Spartan with a 75, turning in his second-straight solid opening round at the Rutgers Invitational. He currently stands tied for ninth.
Brian Horton, from Boiling Springs, S.C., shot a 77 in the first round and is tied for 19th. Michael Lawrence is tied for 23rd after posting a 78, while McKenzie Oref opened with an 82 and is tied for 51st.
Upstate is looking for its third-straight strong performance at the Rutgers Invitational . The Spartans claimed their first-ever team title as a member of NCAA Division I at the tournament in 2007 and finished second last year.
