APSU Governors Golf finishes OVC Tournament in eighth

APSU Sports Information

Muscle Shoals, AL – You couldn’t blame Austin Peay State University men’s golf coach Robbie Wilson for playing “The What If Game,” Wednesday, after the final round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, played on the Robert Trent Jones Trail Fighting Joe Course at the Shoals.

With seniors Austin Kramer and Chris Baker leading the way, his Governors shot a 3-under 285—tying for the day’s low round—to move up to eighth in the final tourney standings.

In a rain-interrupted event, UT Martin held on to win the championship, shooting 296 on the final day to finish at 879 and fend off Morehead State, which finished one stroke back after closing the tourney with rounds of 287 and 285.

Jacksonville State was third at 881. Defending champ Eastern Kentucky was fourth at 883.

Wilson had to wondering “what if” his Governors had been able to produce such round—or something close to a 285—instead of the 310 they shot Tuesday? Had they done that, the Governors would have been in contention. Kramer, for instance, was nine shots better than Tuesday, firing a 69 while fellow senior Baker, like Kramer, playing in his first Govs’ tournament, shot a 2-under 70. The duo both finished at 221 overall and tied for ninth.

Junior Erik Hedberg shot an even-par 72, 16 shots better than Tuesday,, while Justin Arens was seven shots better than Wednesday with a 74. Only senior Tyler Phillips, APSU’s low scorer, Tuesday, saw his score rise and that was just one stroke from 74 to 75. As been his normal this spring, Phillips dug out from a struggling frontside to shoot a 1-under 35 on the backside.

“I’m proud of the effort and grit our guys showed,” said Wilson. “They were embarrassed about yesterday. They came out and put up one of our best rounds of the year.

“It was good to see them bounce back. I was happy that Kramer and Baker, two players who have been a part of this for the last four years, could end the way they did.”

Box Score

2016 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Championship
Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals
Muscle Shoals, AL