The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Men's Golf Team Finishes Second At Jerry Pate National
10/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 9, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The No. 17-ranked UAB men's golf team continued its hot start to the 2007 campaign, setting another school record en route to a second-place finish at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Tuesday afternoon - the third consecutive tournament the Blazers have finished second in this season. After setting 18-hole (262) and 36-hole (545) school records during Monday's first two rounds, UAB capped off its record-setting event by smashing the former 54-hole school record by 13 strokes, closing play with a 25-under par 827 (283-262-282).
With the result, the UAB men's golf team improves to 36-3 on the 2007 campaign, including an impressive 9-2 mark against top-25 teams. The Blazers finished second in a tournament that comes complete with a field of 12, most of which are ranked among the top 25.
"I thought we played terrific in less than ideal conditions," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "I am pretty pleased with a second-place finish in what was a very tough field with a lot of good golf teams. I thought we played well top to bottom throughout the event. Hopefully we can carry this momentum throughout the rest of the fall season."
The Blazers' score of 827 beat the former school record of 840, set during the Barona Collegiate Cup on Oct. 23-24, 2006. Furthermore, Monday's second round 262 shattered the former 18-hole school record mark of 273, while the 36-hole 545 is yet another school record, breaking the former mark of 561.
The Blazers wasted no time picking up on yesterday's record-setting pace. Senior Kyle Sapp began the day birdie-eagle-birdie to set the tone for the Blazers. However, heavy rains slowed play and made the course play even tougher. Sapp continued to fight through and led the Blazers with a ninth-place finish with a career-low mark of eight-under par 205 (70-65-70). During the weekend, Sapp set career-best marks of 18 holes (65), 36 holes (135), 54 holes and tournament finish.
Junior Zach Sucher led the Blazers with a two-under 69 during Tuesday's final round, and tied for 12th overall with teammate sophomore Cathal O'Malley, both finishing with a seven-under 206. Sucher, who earned All-America accolades with a fourth-place finish at Nationals last year, tied his career-low round score of 65 during the second round, while O'Malley set new career low marks for 18 holes (64), 36 holes (133), 54 holes and tournament finish.
The trio all found their way into the UAB record books, as Sapp's 54-hole mark of 205 was 10th-best in school history, while Sucher and O'Malley's 206 ranked 11th-lowest for a 54-hole tournament in the UAB record books.
Senior Brad Smith, who led the Blazers during the first two events and is the reigning Conference USA Men's Golfer of the Week, carded an even par 213 (72-68-73), to close the event tied for 29th overall, while sophomore Adam West rounded out the UAB golfers in a tie for 51st with a 222 (77-75-70). Even West joined the action, shooting career-best marks of 18 holes (70), 36 holes (152), 54 holes and tournament finish.
No. 2-ranked Alabama captured the event title with a Jerry Pate record 42-under par 810 (270-268-272). Following UAB's second-place results was UNLV 829, followed by No. 9 Auburn 830, No. 18 Florida 831, North Carolina 832, No. 13 Texas Tech and Georgia State 845, No. 21 Texas 848, East Tennessee State 850, Brigham Young 854 and Georgia Southern 870.
UAB will have little time to savor the result, as the Blazers will travel to Johnson City, Tennessee to participate in The Ridges Intercollegiate on Oct. 12-14, at the Ridges Golf Course.
