By: by Krissy Wade
The Kennesaw State Men’s Golf team finished up strong at the Rees Jones Invitational hosted by Michigan State, carding a final round 306 to finish up in third place on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Haig Point Golf Course.
The Owls entered the third round in second place ahead of conference rivals Jacksonville and Mercer, after recording scores of 311 and 292 on Monday. to finish at 45-over par 909 for the tournament.
The nationally ranked No. 24 University of South Carolina took home first place after shooting a 5-over par 869 followed by North Carolina Wilmington in second at 42-over par 906.
"We did not play as well as we hoped today," Head Coach Jay Moseley said. "As a whole we are still making some early season mistakes but we have a lot of room for improvement."
The Owls were led by J.P. Putnam on Tuesday, who after finishing the first two rounds in a tie for 18th shot a 1-under par 71 on Tuesday to lead the Owls in the standings, ending the tournament in a tie for seventh at 7-over par 223.
Putnam was followed in the standings by freshman Ben Greene who began the third round in the lead for the Owls, and finished up in 13th place after a third round 79 left him at 10-over par 226 for the tournament.
Jeff Karlssons, the winner of the Sam Hall Intercollegiate three weeks ago carded a 79 on Tuesday, to end the day at 12-over par 228 in a tie for 17th place, followed by Chad Wilson at 18-over par 234 (t-34), and Alex Jones at 20-over par 236, to round out the scoring for the Owls.
"The team as a whole has a great deal of potential," Moseley said. "We need to be a little more consistent but that will come as the season continues and we keep working hard."
The Owls will return to action on Oct. 19-20 when they travel to Savannah, Ga., to compete in the Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate.
Individual Results
t-7. J.P. Putnam: 79-73-71= 223 (+7)
13. Ben Greene: 76-71-79= 226 (+10)
t-17. Jeff Karlsson: 75-74-79= 228 (+12)
t-34. Chad Wilson: 83-74-77= 234 (+18)
t-37. Alex Jones: 81-76-79= 236 (+20)
Team Results
1. South Carolina: 300-280-289= 869 (+5)
2. N. Car. Wilmington: 316-292-298= 906 (+42)
3. Kennesaw State: 311-292-306= 909 (+45)
t-4. Michigan State: 311-296-304= 911 (+47)
t-4. Pepperdine: 310-298-303= 911 (+47)
6. Georgia State: 314-301-298= 913 (+49)
7. Mercer University: 318-297-30= 918 (+54)
8. Jacksonville: 308-307-311= 926 (+62)
9. San Jose State: 313-310-306= 929 (+65)
10. Coll. of Charleston: 314-310-306= 930 (+66)
11. Tennessee State: 326-310-313= 949 (+85)
12. Winthrop Univ.: 321-318-311= 950 (+86)
