Oct. 24, 2008
Day One Results
GALLOWAY, N.J. - Playing on a course that didn't surrender an under-par score to any individual in the 15-team field, the Kennesaw State men's golf team finished the first day of the Columbia Invitational in a tie for tenth place after firing a 312.
The 6,966-yard, par-71 Galloway National Golf Club was treacherous on Friday, resulting in no team heading to the clubhouse within 15 shots of par. The Owls are just nine strokes out of the top five and 11 strokes out of a three-way tie for the lead in their last event of the season.
"The course is great, but extremely difficult," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Blake Smart on the course setup. "If you are just a little off you get punished."
Freshman Jeff Karlsson led KSU in the opening round, turning in a four-over par 75 to finish the day tied for tenth. Karlsson is in contention, just two shots out the top five and four behind leader Michael Blodgett of Pennsylvania who turned in the day's only even-par round.
J.P. Putnam came in just a stroke behind his younger teammate, shooting 37-39 to put himself in a tie for 20th.
The remainder of the Owls squad failed to break 80, marking the first time the team has recorded three 80 or higher rounds in a single 18 since April of 2007. Michael Tulacz carded an 80 and stands tied for 46th, while Christopher Johnson was the lone Owl to improve on the back nine and is tied for 55th at 81. Freshman Parker Houston shot an 85, good for a tie for 72nd.
"Tomorrow's weather looks to be pretty bad so we will try to out last everyone and pick up some ground," added Smart.
The second round will tee-off at 9 a.m. and the Owls will be paired with Western Illinois and the University of Louisiana Monroe. A recap of tomorrow's action will be available on the KSU Athletics homepage following the conclusion of play.
