UCO tied for fourth in D-II National Championship
CONOVER, N.C. (May 18) – Logan Gray fired a 1-under-par 70 to lead Central Oklahoma on the first day of the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships here Monday.
The Bronchos made 14 birdies in shooting a three-over 287 at the 7,021-yard, par-71 Rock Barn Golf and Spa and are tied for fourth in the team standings with two rounds remaining.
Nova Southeastern had a five-under 279 and leads Lynn by four strokes, followed by South Carolina-Aikin (284), UCO and Central Missouri (287). Second-round gets underway at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and the 20-team tourney is cut to eight teams after Wednesday’s third round.
The final eight teams then play three rounds of match play to determine the national champion.
Gray’s 70 paced UCO, with also got an even-par 71 from Russ Purser. Eric Kline and Eli Armstrong both shot 73 and Cody Troutman added a 75.
Gray was two-under after five holes following consecutive birdies on Nos. 4 and 5, but gave both strokes back with a double bogey on No. 6 and went out in 35. He made two birdies against one bogey on the back nine for a closing 35 and is tied for sixth in the individual standings.
Purser had a pair of front-nine birdies in making the turn at one-under 34 and was two-under through 13 holes before bogeys on Nos. 14 and 17 led to a back-nine 37.
Kline eagled the par-4 eighth hole in going out in two-under 33, but was hurt by a pair of back-nine double bogeys in coming back with a 40. Armstrong shot a front-nine 38 before rebounding with eight pars and one birdie in a back-nine 35.
Playing as an individual, Southern Nazarene’s Michael Hearne is five strokes off the lead in a tie for 23rd after shooting a par-71.
The senior started a bit rough a pair of bogeys on holes three and four, but closed the front nine with a birdie on the par-3 197-yard hold. After another bogey on hole 11, Hearne then eagled the par-4, 378-yard hole 12 and then birdied 14. He also ended the round with a birdie on the final hole of the day with a four on the 569-yard 18th hole. Hearne was just one of six players to record an eagle on the day.
Complete results are available at www.golfstat.com.