APSU Governors Golf takes third at Cardinal Intercollegiate

Simpsonville, KY – Austin Peay State University men’s golf team didn’t get the finishing kick it was seeking at the Cardinal Intercollegiate, Tuesday.

As a result, the Governors were forced to settle for third for a second straight week.

The Governors shot a final-round 7-over 295 to finish at 869, nine shots behind host Louisville at The Cardinal Club. Mercer, meanwhile, slipped past the Govs for second place by shooting the day’s low round (284) to end at 866, three shots ahead of APSU.

“The pins were extremely difficult—they were three and four paces from the edge,” said APSU coach Kirk Kayden. “We didn’t do as a good a job today of hitting the ball into the middle of the green.

“We made some mistakes early on that cost us, where we short-sided ourselves, putting ourselves in a position where you have a tough up and down to make your par.

“We have got to do better in final-round situations where pins are going to be in tough positions. As we talked afterward, we just have to be better prepared mentally for that.”

Individually, sophomore Austin Kramer, who struggled in Monday’s second round, bounced back to shoot the Govs’ low Tuesday round (72), sandwiching 16 pars around a birdie and a bogey.

“He did a great job for us,” Kayden said. “It was a solid round by our five man, especially after having so many things go wrong yesterday. He mentally was able to get his mind straight before the round and have a good round. It was a solid performance when we really needed to hang out there.”

For a second straight week, senior Anthony Bradley garnered a Top 10 finish, tying for eighth after shooting a round 74 to finish at even-par 216. Seniors Marco Iten (74) and Trey Tarpley (75) and sophomore Chris Baker (76) all finished at 219, 3-over par.

Although Kayden was disappointed his Govs couldn’t make a run at Louisville, which shot 5-over on the final round, he nonetheless was pleased with the fact his team finished well ahead of the three Ohio Valley Conference schools in the field. Eastern Kentucky was eight at 886 with UT Martin (892) ninth and Murray State (897) 10th.

The Governors will have little time to rest as they head out this weekend for Madison, WI, to play in the Badger Invitational. It will be APSU’s first time in the Wisconsin-hosted tourney.

“It certainly will be a quick turnaround,” Kayden said. “We are in the middle of several in a row here but you cannot deny playing in the good tournaments. We want these guys playing in the most competitive fields as they can so they will be ready for the postseason—the OVC championship next spring.

“Playing tough competition you become a better team. Hopefully, we put ourselves in position to challenge again next week.”

Box Score

Cardinal Intercollegiate
September 23-24th, 2013
Par-Yardage: 72-7036