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HomeSportsAPSU Governors Golf leads OVC Tournament

APSU Governors Golf leads OVC Tournament

Austin Peay State University Governors SportsDickson, TN – Senior Dustin Korte, junior Marco Iten and freshman Chris Baker all produced under-par rounds to lead Austin Peay State University to a four-shot first-round lead in the Ohio Valley Conference men’s golf championship, being played at GreyStone Golf Club.

Austin Peay Men's Golf.
Austin Peay Men’s Golf.

The Governors shot a four-under 284 to lead Belmont (288). Defending champion Jacksonville State was one shot further back while Morehead State was at 292 for fourth and Murray State finished at 294 to sit in fifth after the opening 18 holes.

“We missed a lot of fairways, we missed a lot of greens today, but we were able to get the ball in hole and save the round,” APSU coach Kirk Kayden said. “It was leaning toward a little bit of a bad round but we got it back, found a way to get it in hole and shoot 4-under and be in the lead. That’s important to start the tournament in that good of shape.”

Korte, chipping in for birdie on the No. 18, is tied for third individually after shooting a 2-under 70. Iten and Baker are one shot back with 71s. Iten had four birdies and three bogeys while Baker’s scorecard was, to say the least, colorful. He had six birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey.

“Chris had an up-and-down round,” Kayden said. “It was great to see him come through in his first OVC championship first round the way he did. He held himself together mentally and emotionally. That is something that he has been able to do—he can handle the pressure of the moment.”

Defending medalist Anthony Bradley scrambled to shoot even par—shooting par on each of the final nine holes—while sophomore Tucker Wallace had some unfortunate late luck to finish at 77.

Of course, the Governors got off to a great start a year ago and then gave it up the next day. Kayden liked his club’s attitude after Thursday’s opening round.

“The mindset is right,” Kayden said. “Last year they guys were really happy to be in first place (after day one), but this year the guys are saying we played just okay today…that we can do better.

“They realize it is a three-round tournament. They know there is a long way to go. We just have to play to our abilities tomorrow, keeping grinding. We need to take better swings and play the par 5s a little better.”

The Governors played the front nine at even par. They were able to build their lead to four strokes over the final two holes, playing it at 2-under with the four counters being at 3-under par.

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