Golfers come out swinging in NCAA nationals

HERSHEY, Pa. - The UT Tyler men's golf team sits three strokes outside the top 10 after two rounds at the NCAA Div. III national golf tournament in Hershey, Pa.

The team is currently tied for 11th with a two-day score of 616, shooting 307 on day one at Hershey Links and 309 on day two at Hershey Country Club-East. Methodist leads with a two day total of 597.

"We haven't finished off rounds," senior Brandon Ellis said. "After the front nine today (Wednesday) we were good, but the back nine hurt us."

The Patriots shot a collective 23 over par on the back nine on Wednesday at Hershey Country Club, the harder of the two courses, says head coach King Campbell.

Ellis led the team in round two shooting 76 on the par 71 course. Jacob Walsh followed with a 76. Joey Rippel and Bobby Ennis finished with a 77 respectfully.

Weather played a significant role in round one at Hershey Links. Temperatures were 20 degrees below average and the round had to be suspended an hour and a half due to rain.

Tynan Day led the Patriots on day one with a one-over 73. Ellis and Walsh each followed with a 76. Ellis leads the team for the tournament at nine over par, tied for 31st.

The team agrees that 290 or better is what it will take to get back into contention. Ennis said there are more birdie opportunities at Hershey Links, where the team will play the last two rounds.

"I think if we get good weather tomorrow we can shoot 290-295," Campbell said. "We just didn't hit enough fairways today and left ourselves too difficult shots out of the rough."

"Today was disappointing," he said. "We had a chance to move up and get ourselves into the top ten, and were in good shape after nine holes, and didn't play the back nine well at all."