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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Governors Golf falls to fifth at OVC Championship

Austin Peay State University Governors Golf falls to fifth at OVC Championship

APSU Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUMuscle Shoals, AL – Birdies were not to be found by Austin Peay State University men’s golf team, Sunday, during the final round of the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference golf championship. As a result, the Governors were denied their ninth OVC championship.

Austin Peay Men's Golf come up short in last day of OVC Championship. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Men’s Golf come up short in last day of OVC Championship. (APSU Sports Information)

After recording 37 birdies over the first two days, including 21 Saturday, the Govs had just eight during the final round. Pressing late in the round to make up ground, the Governors instead ended up slipping all the way to fifth after shooting 297 for an 874.

Eastern Kentucky, who stormed from behind to take the lead Saturday, won the event shooting a final-round 293 for an 868 total. They were five shots better than Belmont, Murray State and Tennessee Tech.

“We missed a lot of putts that we made the first couple of days,” APSU coach Robbie Wilson said. “We missed those putts early but we got to hole nine in what I thought was good shape and I thought we could make a run. But we didn’t play the hole too well—we had four bogeys and one par.

“Then we got to the last few holes and we started pressing a bit. We figured we had to make birdies and when you start thinking that way good things don’t happen.”

After missing multiple birdie opportunities on No. 16, the Governors played the last two holes at seven over—six bogeys, one double and only one birdie (sophomore Erik Hedberg on No. 17). As a result, the Govs chance of catching Eastern Kentucky not only faded but their hold on second slipped away as well.

Junior Austin Kramer had APSU’s low score of the day with a 1-over 73. Senior Chris Baker and freshman Justin Arens shot 74s. Baker finished at 215 and tied for fifth, earning OVC All-Tournament. Arens finished just outside the Top 10 in 11th at 218.

Freshman Erik Hedberg, who had two birdies on the day, was APSU’s other counter at 76. It was the first OVC tourney for Kramer, Hedberg and Arens. Meanwhile, senior Tucker Wallace, playing in his final event as a Governor, shot 77. The Dickson, TN native played in the OVC tourney all four seasons during his career.

“I think we saw Justin Arens step up his game this and we talked about his game progressing during the course of the semester,” Wilson said. “He really took it to the next step this tournament.

“Erik had a good event as well. Those two needed to play, get into events and proved themselves and I think they did that. Those guys are going to see a lot of action the next few years. With Chris and Austin ready to take that next step for them, the future is bright.

“I know Tucker wanted to go off on a higher note, but he had a good career here and we are proud of him.”

Box Score

2015 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championship
Team/Player Leaderboard
Tournament Home
Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals – 2015 OVC Men’s Championship Par: 72 Yardage: 7258
April 24th-26th, 2015

Pos. Team/Player (seed) Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Total
5 Austin Peay State 293 284 297 874
T5 Chris Baker (1) 69 72 74 215
T11 Justin Arens (4) 77 67 74 218
T19 Austin Kramer (2) 73 75 73 221
T29 Tucker Wallace (3) 74 73 77 224
T31 Erik Hedberg (5) 77 72 76 225

 

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