Sapphire Valley, NC – Those of you trapped in the arid confines of Middle Tennessee won’t believe it, but Austin Peay State University (APSU) men’s golf team actually saw its first-day stay at the 2019 J.T. Poston Invitational cut short by rain, with much of the second round still to play when weather moved in Monday afternoon.
When play was suspended, most teams had completed somewhere between four and six holes in round two.
Austin Peay State University was at even par for the round and seven-under for the tournament after an opening-round 277—a mark which had the Govs tied for third after 18 holes.
Low early salvos by Central Arkansas, Morehead State and Charleston Southern knocked the APSU Govs down to seventh during the early portion of round two, but plenty of golf remains for the Govs to get back in the mix near the top of the leaderboard.
Senior Austin Lancaster fired an opening-round 66—the best round of his Austin Peay career—and was in 11th at the time play was suspended; an eagle on the par-5 at No. 14 was just one of several high points for the Hendersonville Tennessee native. Junior Chase Korte’s 68 had him in the top-20, tied for 19th with five pars to get his second round off to a solid start.
Senior Michael Busse may not have known it at the time, but his birdie on the par-5 at No. 6 would prove to be the final hole of his Monday and provide him solid footing heading into Tuesday; he’s tied for 25th, two-under overall.
Youngsters Tate Dickerson (73) and Micah Knisley (79) rounded out the day for the Govs. Dickerson matched Lancaster pretty much shot-for-shot in the first round, with four birdies, a bogey and a double to Lancaster’s five birdies and a bogey. Like Busse, Knisley also birdied what would be his final hole on Monday to provide himself momentum heading into the final day.
Closer to home, a trio of Govs competed as individuals at the Skyhawk Fall Classic at Paris Landing State Park. Senior Alex Vegh (68-74—142) led after round one and is one shot off the pace with 18 holes to play, while junior Garrett Whitfield (75-75—150) and freshman Morgan Robinson (77-76—153) got in their first work of the fall.
Action in Sapphire Valley is scheduled for an 7:30am (CT) start, Tuesday, with play continuing until all 54 holes are completed, weather permitting. The Skyhawk Classic final round begins at 8:30am (CT).
