Austin Peay State University Men’s Golf has great start at F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate

APSU Sports Information

Dickson, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s golf team saw its share of ups and downs through the first 36 holes of play at the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate, but the Governors also saw several young players step up to the challenge at Greystone Golf Club, Monday.

Overall, the Governors find themselves in sixth after two rounds of play, shooting an even 600 (297-303). Missouri State leads the tournament at plus-four (286-294=580) overall, with Mercer (586), UT Martin (587), Murray State (595) and Belmont (597) rounding out the top five. Mercer’s Kiko Rosete’s five-under 139 leads the individuals.

“We got off to a good start, but we just didn’t make enough birdies,” said head coach Robbie Wilson. “We were near the bottom of the field in birdies made today and that wears on you during a 36-hole day.”

In the first round, the Govs were paced by junior Hunter Tidwell, who opened his round with a birdie on the 560-yard par-five No. 2 and closed with birdies on four of his final five holes to go two-under for his first 18.

Sophomore Sean Butscher, competing as an individual, had the best round of his career with a three-under 69 in the first round, sharing the lead at the end of the first round. He was at four-under thanks to back-to-back birdies on No. 12 and No. 13 before a round-ending bogey on No. 15.

“Sean’s made progress,” Wilson said. “It’s nice for him to get a round under par under his belt, because he’s been close over the last year. he’s turning into a really good player for us.”

As wind picked up over the course of the second round, so too did scores across the board. Holding strong for the Governors were junior Justin Arens and freshman Austin Lancaster, who fired matching two-over par 74’s in the second round to lead Austin Peay.

Overall, the Governors find themselves in sixth place through 36 holes. As the individual, Butscher paced the Governors with a 146 (69-77), with Tidwell (70-77=147) one shot behind him in 12th.

Arens (76-74) and Lancaster (76-74) posted matching scores of 150 to remain in the top-25, while senior Erik Hedberg (75-78=153) and freshman Michael Busse (76-82=158) rounded out the scoring for the Governors.

“Justin and Erik struggled at times today,” Wilson said. “But that’s where for us to be a great team, we have to ask some of the younger guys to step up when we need them.”

Sophomore Sam Lopez (76-79=155) and freshman Alex Vegh (78-78=156) also competed as individuals for the Governors.

Final-round action from Greystone begins 8:30am, Tuesday, with a shotgun start.

Video

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcppHiiPg3k[/youtube]

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