The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Shoal Creek Intercollegiate
UAB In Second Through Day One Of Shoal Creek Intercollegiate
9/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 24, 2007
Shoal Creek Results Rounds 1 and 2
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Hosting the third annual Shoal Creek Intercollegiate at the Shoal Creek Country Club, the UAB men's golf team performed well through the opening two rounds. The Blazers will enter the tournament's final round in second place overall after shooting a seven-over par 583 (288-295) after the opening 36 holes on Monday.
"I am pretty happy where we are at entering (Tuesday's) final round," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "We led throughout the day, but had a few bad holes towards the end of the day. It was a very hot day and I think our guys just got a little tired. I think if we play like we are capable of, then we are in good shape to pull this out."
The Blazers were led on the day by All-America Zach Sucher. The Mobile, Ala. native carded a three-under 69 on the opening 18 holes, followed by a one-over 73 during the afternoon round. Sucher will enter the tournament's final round with a two-under par 142, just one stroke back of North Florida's Chris Kennedy (69-72) for the overall lead.
Senior Brad Smith also had a good opening day, and is in a tie for eighth overall making it two Blazers in the top-10. Smith opened with a 73, but improved over the last 18 holes to close play at even par (73-71/144).
Meanwhile, sophomore Cathal O'Malley carded a 149 (72-77) and will enter the final round in a tie for 23rd overall, while sophomore Blake West is in 49th after carding a 155 (74-81). Junior Mike Oimoen rounds out UAB with a 156 (82-74).
Texas Tech, competing in its first Shoal Creek Intercollegiate, will take a five-stroke lead into the event's last round, after carding a team score of two-over par 578 (293-285). Auburn made the biggest leap from the first to the second round and is currently in third overall with a 585. The Tigers recorded a 302 over the first 18 holes, followed by a tournament low round of 282 during the afternoon.
The tournament's third and final round will tee off on holes one and 10 at 8:30 CT. Admission is free for the general public. Additionally, the tournament action can be followed live by going to the official UAB athletic website (uabsports.com) and clicking on `Calendar,' or by going to golfstat.com.
