University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Badger Invitational
White Tied for Second at Badger Invitational
9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Madison, Wisc. – USC Upstate standout men's golfer and Duncan native Taylor White shot a 2-under-par 70 to lead the Spartans in the first round of the Badger Invitational hosted by Wisconsin at University Ridge Golf Course Sunday afternoon. The Spartans stand tied for fourth after the first of three tournament rounds.
Upstate had to shake off a tough last two days due to travel issues. The Spartans had to sit in the Atlanta airport for several hours after a fire in a traffic control center in Chicago caused havoc with flights in the Midwest. The team could not fly into Madison or Milwaukee and were routed to Minneapolis. From there, the Spartans had to make a two-hour drive to Madison where they got to their hotel at 3:45 Saturday morning and had just a couple hours of sleep prior to their practice round.
Despite the travel woes, Upstate turned in a 294 and is tied with Kansas in fourth. Sam Houston State shot a 283 to take the lead heading into Monday's second round. Marquette is second at 287 and is followed by Toledo (292), Upstate (294), Kansas (294), Iowa State (296), Wisconsin (297), Rutgers (301), Bowling Green State (305), Illinois State (306), Charleston Southern (306), Bradley (309) and Drake (311).
"Overall, it was not a bad start considering the last two days of travel," said Upstate head coach Todd Lawton. "We really had good things going early and got a little loose near the end. We need a good night's rest to be ready for tomorrow. Conditions are perfect and the course plays fast and firm."
White was simply spectacular and except for one errant tee shot, was the best golfer on the course in the first round. He shot a 2-under 70 and is tied for second with three other players just two strokes off the lead of 68 held by Marquette's Patrick Sanchez. White stood even after the first five holes of his round when he played the hole of the day on the par-4 15th, his sixth hole. He drove the green and made the putt to record an eagle-2 on the hole. He went out in 3-under and played his final nine at 1-over to shoot 70.
"Taylor was incredible except for one tee shot on a par-3 where he had to give up three shots," said Lawton. "The lead could easily be his, but he is in good spirits."
While White was spectacular, Trey Taylor turned in the round of his young college career to help the Upstate cause. He shot even-par 72 with five birdies on the day and is tied for 11th. Ryan Cornfield was the third-best Spartan on the day, finishing at 2-over par 74 after grinding for 18 holes. He played each nine at 1-over. Sebastian Lopez Bulla turned in the fourth countable score of the day with a 78. Sean Hassell turned in a 79 with two birdies on his final nine to come home in solid fashion.
"I am so proud of Trey and his score today," said Lawton. "He really showed a lot of patience and poise over difficult shots and his lag putting was good. Ryan battled today. He didn't have all his best, but stayed in it. Sean had a great last nine and I hope he carries that into tomorrow."
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