The Murray State’s men’s golf team finished 15th at the Cardinal Intercollegiate at the University of Louisville Golf Course in Simpsonville, Ky., last week.
Head Coach Eddie Hunt said senior Jordan Smith had yet again another outstanding tournament.
Smith continued his steady play throughout the tournament for the Racers with scores of 74-73-73. That gave him an overall score of 904. Smith has already posted a pair of 296 top-five finishes this fall and is 47th in the nation in scoring average.
Murray State sophomore Matthew Zakutney finished 34th with scores of 75-71-79 and an overall score of 225. T.J. Ferry was next with scores of 73-78-78 and an overall score of 229. Junior Preston French placed 54th with an overall score of 231.
Junior Brock Simmons finished 82nd with an overall score of 244, and junior Duncan McCormick in the individual slot for the Racers finished 62nd with an overall score of 232.
This week, the men’s golf team took on the Paris Landing State Park course in Buchanan, Tenn., with 36 holes to play in the Skyhawk Fall Classic hosted by UT Martin. The men placed fifth overall in the tournament of nine teams.
The Racers encountered difficult weather as overnight rainfall caused an hour delay in the first round of the tournament.
The rain continued into the next day and caused a 90-minute delay before the final round of the tournament. The players battled windy conditions during their final round.
Hunt said the extreme weather conditions on both days of the tournament were challenging.
“The main problem on both days was the weather the first day we were supposed to play 36 holes the forecast was for rain all day,” Hunt said.
Smith came home with his third top-five finish with the last four events that he has competed in. Smith got his third top-5 finish during the Skyhawk Classic on Tuesday. Smith had scores of 69-69-74 with an overall score of 212.
“Our senior Jordan Smith had another outstanding tournament and up to this point I believe he has had an outstanding year up to this point,” Hunt said.
The Racers finished in fifth place with scores of 287-284-303 and an overall score of 879, with Alabama State taking home the win with an overall score of 853. UT Martin came in second place with an overall score of 856, Southern Illinois third with 863 and Tennessee State finished fourth with an overall score of 878.
Hunt said his team played well at first, but he was disappointed in their play as the rounds progressed.
“We played well in the tournament during the first two rounds and during the third round we just did not play as well,” Hunt said.
Other Murray State scores included Jared Gosser with the 18th spot with rounds of 73-70-78 and an overall score of 221 and Matthew Zakutney in 23rd place with rounds of 72-78-73 and overall score of 223. French shared 23rd place with scores of 73-72-78 and another overall score of 223. The Racers played the final round of the tournament with four players after T.J. Ferry was disqualified.
Murray State had three players competing as individuals. Brock Simmons placed 27th with scores of 71-79-74 and an overall score of 224. Duncan McCormick finished 34th with scores of 76-74-76 and an overall score 226. Sophomore Myles Morrissey placed 42nd in the field of 53 players with scores of 74-83-73 and overall score of 230.
Murray State’s next event is the Austin Peay Intercollegiate Oct. 20-21 at The Links at Novadel in Hopkinsville, Ky.
Story by Heath Ringstaff, Contributing writer