APSU Sports Information
Muscle Shoals, AL – Austin Peay State University men’s golf dropped a few strokes but remain in prime position for a top-five finish at the 2017 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championships at the Fighting Joe at the Shoals.
Through two rounds, the Governors sit in sixth (289-299-588), eight shots behind UT Martin.
Eastern Kentucky’s second-round 283 moved them two shots ahead of Day One leader SIU Edwardsville, with Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville State and the Skyhawks accounting for the top-five.
“We’re obviously disappointed in the way we played today,” said head coach Robbie Wilson. “I think we were very confident coming into the round and I think we struggled to get any kind of momentum today. We were rolling the ball well (yesterday) and today (the putts) weren’t falling.”
After 36 holes, a pair of newcomers lead the way for the Govs. Freshman Alex Vegh‘s second-round 73 was the best by a Governor, leaving him tied for 12th with junior transfer Hunter Tidwell with a one-over par 145—Vegh at 72-73, Tidwell via a 70-75 showing, with Vegh’s eight birdies and 3.90 stroke average on par-4 holes and Tidwell’s 27 pars each accounting for team-highs. Both look to make a strong push on the final day of competition.
“Alex has come a long way this year,” Wilson said. “He really settled in after the first hole and played about 15 holes of excellent golf. Alex has been an important part of our team the last few months.”
Also tied at 29th are Governor teammates Austin Lancaster and Erik Hedberg, thanks to dueling 149 scores—Lancaster improved on his opening round 75 by a stroke, while Hedberg has shot 72-77 over the opening two rounds. Lancaster has averaged 4.75 strokes per hole on par-5 attempts.
Sophomore Sean Butscher rounded out the APSU lineup at 156 through two rounds (76-80).
The struggles on holes 9-13 continued on Tuesday. The Governors particularly struggled on the 581-yard par-5 No. 12, with a bogey and two triple-bogey’s dotting the scorecard.
“(Those holes) are a big turning point in the round,” Wilson said. “Holes nine and 10 are the toughest holes, statistically, on the course and we’re not hitting the right shots at the right times on those holes.”
The Govs close out the 2017 OVC Men’s Golf Championships Wednesday, playing the final 18 holes paired with Jacksonville State and defending champion UT Martin. Final-round action is set to begin at 9:40am (CT).
Box Score
2017 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Championship
Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals
Muscle Shoals, AL
Dates: April 24th – April 26th
Finish | School – Players | Round 1 | Round 2 | Totals |
6 | Austin Peay State University | 289 | 299 | 588 |
T 12 | Hunter Tidwell (2) | 70 | 75 | 145 |
T 12 | Alex Vegh (4) | 72 | 73 | 145 |
T 29 | Erik Hedberg (1) | 72 | 77 | 149 |
T 29 | Austin Lancaster (5) | 75 | 74 | 149 |
47 | Sean Butscher (3) | 76 | 80 | 156 |