Oct. 18, 2007
2007 Mizuno Southbridge Intercollegiate Final Results
SAVANNAH, Ga. - After firing an uncharacteristic 301 in the second round of Georgia Southern's Mizuno Southbridge Intercollegiate, the Kennesaw State men's golf team returned to form in the third and final round, finishing in seventh place after carding the fourth lowest total of the day at the 6,922-yard, par-72 Forest Hills Golf Club.
The Owls posted a three-under par 285 on Tuesday to finish with a three-round total of 877, 15 strokes out of the top five and 21 strokes behind the champion host Eagles (286-284-286-856) who won in a playoff with Winthrop (281-280-295-856). Kennesaw State gained one stroke on the Eagles and 10 on Winthrop in the final round.
Michael Tulacz was once again the Owls individual leader, finishing in a tie for sixth, just two strokes away from recording his third top five finish of the season. After an unusually slow start in the first two rounds on Monday, Tulacz (73-71-69-213) rebounded with a 69 on Tuesday to finish three-under par for the event.
Bryan Alred (74-72-70-216) also responded with an under-par round Tuesday, posting a two-under 70 to move into a tie for 12th. The 70 and his 12th place finish are both individual lows for the sophomore transfer from Xavier since joining the Owls.
"Today was a big improvement on the first two rounds," said Kennesaw State head coach Blake Smart. "Once again Tulacz and Alred continued their solid play to help lead us."
Chris Johnson (80-80-69-229) also made a significant turn-around on Tuesday, tying Tulacz with a 69 to help lead the Owls final round comeback. Like Alred, the junior from Brunswick, Ga. also recorded a season-low round with his 69.
Wesley Sheard (70-78-77-225) rounded out the Owls scoring on Tuesday, posting a 77 to finish in a tie for 50th.
"Getting a 69 out of the five spot was a huge help," added Smart on Johnson's performance. "We are just struggling to get the fourth score on the board that will get us to that next level."
Kelly Manders of Winthrop took the lead after the second round and never relinquished it, finishing as the individual champion with a 14-under par 202.
Kennesaw State will have one week to practice and regroup before heading back out west to participate in the Santa Clara Invitational hosted by Santa Clara University on October 22-23 at the Silver Creek Golf Club in San Jose, Calif.
