APSU Golf places sixth at F&M Bank Invitational

APSU Sports Information

Dickson, TN – Austin Peay State University men’s golf team showed marked improvement at the 2016 F&M Bank Invitational, earning a sixth-place finish in APSU’s annual home event, Tuesday, on a windy final day Greystone Golf Club.

Missouri State (286-294-297=877) won the event, followed by Mercer (882) and UT Martin (884); the Skyhawks’ Hunter Richardson took individual medalist honors with a three-under par 213 (72-70-71).

“We had some positives this week,” said head coach Robbie Wilson. “But we still have to find the right combination in the lineup and assess our weaknesses when we get back to practice.”

It would be an individual who led the way for Austin Peay, with Sean Butscher near the top of the leaderboard for the entire final round. Butscher fired an even-par 72 on the final round and was two-over for the tournament at 218 (69-77-72), tying for fifth in his finest career performance.

“Sean put together a really solid round today in the wind,” Wilson said. “He had a really solid tournament overall. He was at three-under through 11 and we’re really happy for him and how well he played.”

Juniors Justin Arens (76-74-74) and Hunter Tidwell (70-77-77) were the top scorers for the Govs, each earning shares of 20th with matching scores of 224. Arens battled back from a rocky first round to post an Austin Peay-best 148 over the final 36 holes—making a tournament-high 39 pars in the process—while Tidwell’s 4.58 stroke average on par-five holes was a tournament-best.

“Justin didn’t have his A-game this week, but he still managed to contribute and play well,” Wilson said. “That’s something that comes with experience and leadership. Hunter didn’t get off to the best start, but he fought all the way.”

In his best finish to date, freshman Austin Lancaster‘s final-round 76 put him at 224 (76-74-76) for the tournament and moved him into a tie for 24th. Senior Erik Hedberg (75-78-78=231) and freshman Michael Busse (76-83-79=238) rounded out the lineup for Austin Peay, finishing tied for 39th and 52nd, respectively.

Also competing as individuals were freshman Alex Vegh (78-78-79=235; 47th) and sophomore Sam Lopez (76-79-82=237; t-50th); for Vegh, the 235 was his best score since the season-opening Joe Feaganes Invitational.

Austin Peay will take next week off before concluding the fall schedule, October 31st-November 1st, at the Hummingbird Invitational in Sapphire, North Carolina, hosted by Western Carolina.

Video

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

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