Austin Peay Sports Information
Pawleys Island, SC – Austin Peay State University men’s golf team got off to a strong start during the first round of the Golfweek Program Challenge, Sunday, at the True Blue Golf Club.
With sophomore newcomer Alex Rios leading the way with a 4-under 68, the Govs shot a 5-under 283 to sit in a fourth-place tie with Radford.
The Govs hope to receive another strong performance from Rios, the Coker College transfer, and junior Erik Hedberg, who shot a 2-under 70. Rios had five birdies and just one bogey during the match. He played the front side at 3-under par and is tied for fifth overall.
Hedberg, meanwhile, played the front side at even par with two birdies and two bogeys and was 3-under on the backside until a bogey on No. 18. Still his 2-under 70 matched his career low and continued an uptick since last season’s final half. He is tied for 15th.
“We got off to a good start and kept that momentum through the round,” APSU coach Robbie Wilson said. “I was happy to see Alex’s 68 in his first round as a Gov.
“Erik played solid all day too.”
Seniors Austin Kramer and Chris Baker, played at No. 1 and No. 2, shot rounds of 72 and 73, respectively, while fellow senior Tyler Phillips was at 3-over 75. Kramer had two birdies but it was offset by a double bogey while Baker had a trio of birdies but four bogeys.
As a team, the Governors recorded 17 birdies and just two double bogeys.
The Govs had the best start of the four Ohio Valley Conference teams involved. Tennessee Tech came in at even-par 288 while Jacksonville State 4-over 292 and Morehead State at 13-over 301.
“We still have a long way to go in the tournament,” Wilson said. “And we will need to play well tomorrow to get into contention for Tuesday. ”
The 18-tournament will crown men and women’s champions, Tuesday, with an overall combined titleholder also being crowned.
