Story by Keith Jaco
Staff writer
rjaco@murraystate.edu
Following a windy first round at Osprey Point Golf Club that disrupted most of the field, Murray State Racer men’s golf finished in a tie for 12th place in the FAU Slomin Autism Championship in Boca Raton, Florida.
Murray State got off to a rough start in round one, shooting 306 as a team and ending day one in 13th place. The Racers improved in each of their last two rounds, scoring 294 and 284, finishing the tournament with a total of 884.
Head Coach Eddie Hunt was happy to see his team rebound from a tough opening round.
“I was pleased with our finish to the tournament,” Hunt said. “I think the third round showed that we can play with anybody if we have everyone playing together. I think it’s very positive to leave the tournament with a really good last round; [I believe] going into the next tournament with five or six OVC teams will get us fired up and prepared for the OVC.”
The University of Central Florida edged out host team Florida Atlantic to take home first place honors, shooting a three-round total of 286-275-268?829.
Senior Gabe Wheeler, from Sikeston, Missouri, led the way for Murray State this weekend, placing tied for 29th place on scores of 74-71-71?216.
The Racers received much-needed support from their no. 4 player as junior Justin Wendling, from Lithia, Florida, finished the tournament in a tie for 42nd place, shooting 77-75-68?220.
Junior Austin Knight, from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, earned a share of 48th place with scores of 78-72-71?221.
Hunt believes a week of rest and catching up will benefit his team the most heading into next weekend’s tournament.
“[We need] a little rest and to get caught up with our studies,” Hunt said. “We’re going to practice mainly our short game and may play another course to get used to another facility.
Murray State will compete in one more tournament before the OVC Chamionship as they head to Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 8, to participate in the Big Blue Intercollegiate at Hermitage Golf Club.