Feb. 28, 2008
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State men's golf team got their spring underway in the same strong fashion that they did their fall, finishing third at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate on Tuesday. The Owls posted a 303 in the final round to finish with an 898 total, just seven strokes behind the champions Elon (891).
Owls senior Oliver West turned in his best finish of the season at the 6,828-yard, par-72 Wexford Plantation Golf Course in Hilton Head, S.C. The redshirt senior from Birmingham, England posted the Owls low score for the second-straight day with his final round 73. His three-round 219 was good enough for second place and KSU's top individual finish this season.
Matthew Nagy also finished in the top ten after tying for eighth with a 223. The freshman closed out his first collegiate event with a final round 77 to help the Owls keep pace with the field for their third top five finish of the season.
"This was a solid start to the semester," said Kennesaw State head coach Blake Smart on his team's performance. "We definitely could have made a better push for the team title, but we played solid in difficult conditions."
Michael Tulacz also recorded a top 20 finish for the Black and Gold. The junior finished in a four-way tie for 20th at 226 after firing a final round 75. Newcomer J.P. Putnam (78-74-80-232) finished tied for 42nd while West's fellow senior Wesley Sheard finished tied for 63rd (82-80-78-240).
"Oliver and Matt both played extremely well, and with Tulacz finishing Top 20, it was the best team effort we have put forth since I have been here," added Smart.
"We are looking forward to going to Charleston next week and continuing to play well."
The Owls will be back in action next Monday and Tuesday when they travel to the North Charleston, S.C. for the Charleston Southern Spring Kick-Off Classic.
Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate Final Results
Wexford Plantation Golf Course Hilton Head, S.C.
Feb. 25-26, 2008 6,828 yards par 72
3 Kennesaw State 297-298-303-898,
2 Oliver West 70-76-73-219
t8 Matthew Nagy 73-73-77-223
t20 Michael Tulacz 76-75-75-226
t42 J.P. Putnam 78-74-80-232
t63 Wesley Sheard 82-80-78-240
