Story by Keith Jaco
Staff writer
rjaco@murraystate.edu
Murray State men’s golf finished eight strokes over par to finish in seventh place in the APSU Intercollegiate at Greystone Golf Club.
The tournament was shortened due to rain, as teams were forced to resume first round play this morning before playing an 18-hole second round to decide the winner.
Belmont University shot a tournament low 277 in the second round on Tuesday to capture its first win of the fall season. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville finished in second, with scores of 287-282?569 and Trevecca University followed with 291-280–71 in third.
Head Coach Eddie Hunt was disappointed with the weather conditions his team was forced to play in.
“Those were the worst conditions to play golf in,” Hunt said. “We played 12 holes on Monday and it was miserable the entire time. After teeing off around 3 p.m. we didn’t get to finish until the next day, and it was just a tough time all around.”
Junior Avery Edwards, from Paducah, Kentucky, led the way for the Racers finishing tied for ninth with two-round scores of 70-72?142. This was Edwards’ first event since last spring for the Racers, as he’s been battling an injury for most of the spring and into the summer.
Sophomore Connor Coombs, from Central City, Kentucky, followed Edwards with scores of 74-70?144, earning a share of 17th-place. Junior Justin Wendling, from Lithia, Florida, finished with the best score of the three Racers who participated as individuals. Wendling bounced back with a strong performance on Tuesday shooting 76-69?145 and finishing tied for 23rd-place.
Hunt’s plans for the offseason are slim, but he knows what will come first in the Racers’ preparation.
“The first thing will be getting a lineup established and usually that’s what the fall season is for,” Hunt said. “As individuals, they’ll be able to work on their own things, but we won’t practice as a team until mid-February. The way Avery is playing, we’ll have a set lineup going into the spring. We get to start off in Phoenix with nice, warm weather so that’s something we’re all excited for.”
Hunt is excited about the potential this team has going into the spring.
“There are a lot of bright spots with this group,” Hunt said. “Once we have all of our players on the same page we’ll be ready to go.”
The Racers will begin their season on Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Snowman Getaway at Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Arizona.