University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
A-Sun Championships
Lopez Bulla Tied for 6th at A-Sun Men's Golf Championship
4/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Braselton, Ga. – Sebastian Lopez Bulla opened the 2014 A-Sun Men's Golf Championships with a 73 Sunday afternoon and is tied for sixth place heading into the second round. He led the Spartans to a 311 team score, good for seventh with two rounds left to play.
The A-Sun Men's Golf Championship is being played on the Legends Course at the Chateau Elan Resort. The teams started the first round in cool conditions, but the weather turned beautiful following a rainy, windy day on Saturday with the field having their practice rounds compromised.
Upstate started Sunday's round on the 10th hole and Lopez Bulla made two birdies and two bogeys on his first nine. He stood even after 16 holes before bogeying his 17th, the eight hole on the front nine, to finish with his team-best 73.
"Sebastian played so well and I am not at all surprised," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "His tempo and timing are solid, and he is focused only on what is in front of him on the course. That is what it takes."
Upstate opened with a 311 and is four shots out of sixth, which is the best finish that Upstate has recorded in the A-Sun Championships since beginning play in the event in 2009. The Spartans counted scores of 73, 77, 80 and 81.
"We are not at all where we need to be as a team and there isn't any excuse," said Lawton. "It takes perseverance to play through your misses. The golf course is very challenging, but fair if you execute properly."
Kennesaw State opened with an even-par 288 to take the early lead in the 54-hole tournament. Mercer is second at 290 and is followed by North Florida (295), ETSU (299), Jacksonville (304), Lipscomb (307), Upstate (311), Florida Gulf Coast (312), Northern Kentucky (312) and Stetson (318). Despite the Spartans' struggles, the squad is still just seven strokes out of a top five finish and 12 back of fourth place with 36 holes still to play.
After going out in 5-over, Ryan Cornfield rallied to play his final nine holes at even par to shoot 77 for the second best score of the day for Upstate. Adam Goins, playing in his final A-Sun Championship, carded an 80, while Taylor White, playing in his first A-Sun Championship, tuned in an 81. Danny Brock, also playing in his final A-Sun Championship, shot an 84.
Kennesaw State's Teremoana Beaucousin opened with a 3-under 69 to take the lead after the first round.
The teams will play the second round of the A-Sun Championship Monday before completing the tournament with the final round Tuesday.
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