By: By Brian Harper
Full Results
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Kennesaw State men’s golf team wrapped up their first tournament of the 2010 season with a win at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate at Hattiesburg Country Club in Hattiesburg, Miss. The Black and Gold posted a 54 hole record, 278-281-280/839, 13-under par score to take the title by four strokes over Louisiana-Lafayette. Junior Jeff Karlsson defended his individual crown with a 14-under par total to win the event for the second straight year.
"I am extremely proud of this team. We set a goal of winning every tournament this season and it feels great to start off the season this way,” Owls head coach Jay Moseley said of his first career win at the helm of the program. “We know we still have lots of room for improvement and we will continue to work hard to get better."
After shooting 6-under par over the first 36 holes, Moseley’s squad put together a 7-under par afternoon. Taking advantage of the long ball, the Owls finished second in par-5 scoring (4.53, -21). Kennesaw State was sixth in par-4 scoring (4.09, +15) and seventh in par-3 scoring (3.15, +9).
Karlsson made it consecutive championships as the Gothenburg, Sweden native tallied 15 birdies and an eagle eagle over three rounds of play and tied for the lead in par-5 scoring (4.11, -8). His 54-hole score of 199 shattered the program record he set for a 54-hole total at last season's Sam Hall, when he came in with a 10-under, 203 score. His two rounds of 65 also matched the Owls 18-hole record.
With their 54-hole team score of 839, the Black and Gold match their 54-hole program record, originally set at the Treasure Coast Classic in Feb., 2007. Their 36-hole total of 559 at the end of two rounds sets a new program record, besting the 560 they shot during the first two rounds at the USA Jaguar Invitational in Sept. 2007.
"I am very happy and relieved that I was able to defend my title because I had high expectations going into the tournament,” Karlsson said. “It means a lot that we won as a team and it felt great to be a part of my first experience winning a team tournament for Kennesaw State."
Seniors Matt Nagy and Chad Wilson rounded out the top 20 as both finished tied for 20th with even par scores. Nagy posted scores of 69-71-73/213 total while Wilson posted a 74-68-71/213.
Sophomore Ben Greene finished with a 73-73-74/220 and freshman Kelby Burton posted a 71-81-71/223 in his collegiate debut to round out the scoring.
The Owls lead all teams with 58 total birdies and tied Winthrop University with 2 eagles in route to their victory.
The Owls tee it up next at the Cardinal Collegiate in Louisville, Ky. Sept. 20-21.
Sam Hall Intercollegiate- Hattiesburg Country Club, Hattiesburg, Miss. - Final Results
1. Kennesaw State 278-281-280/839 -13
2. Louisiana-Lafayette 286-274-283/843 -9
3. Southeastern Louisiana 280-282-283/845 -7
t4. Mississippi State 284-282-280/846 -6
t4. Louisiana Tech 279-282-285/846 -6
6. Louisiana-Monroe 284-283-285/852 E
7. Arkansas State 285-281-287/853 +1
t8. Memphis 291-277-286/854 +2
t8. Southern Mississippi 274-290-290/854 +2
10. Wichita State 286-284-284/856 +4
Individual results
1. Jeff Karlsson- 65-69-65/199 (-14)
t20. Chad Wilson- 74-68-71/213 (E)
t20. Matt Nagy- 69-71-73/213 (E)
t51. Ben Greene- 73-73-74/220 (+7)
t66. Kelby Burton- 71-81-71/223 (+10)
