By: By Al Barba
LOXLEY, Ala. – Led by freshman
Connor Coffee, the No. 31 Kennesaw State men's golf turned in an impressive performance during the opening day of the Steelwood Intercollegiate at the par-72, 7,096-yard Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Ala.
The Owls, fresh off a tournament win at the Pinetree Intercollegiate earlier this week, posted rounds of 278 and 280 for an 18-under par 558 total, and holds a 17-shot lead over host and second-place South Alabama. Kennesaw State turned in a season-best par-72 single-round score, and its 36-hole total is the third-best score on par-72 course in program history.
"Today was an awesome day on the golf course. It was a true team effort with everyone contributing to the overall score," Kennesaw State head coach
Bryant Odom said. "The energy level and momentum is still high following the Pinetree and tomorrow (Sunday) we will focus on our game plan on keeping our noses down to the very end."
Coffee, who is coming off a tie for second place at the Pinetree Intercollegiate, turned in a career-round during the opening round, firing a 6-under par 66 and following it up with a 2-under par 70 to assume the individual lead with an 8-under par 136 and a two-shot lead over Southern Mississippi's Matt Codd.
Joining Coffee in the top 12, are sophomore
Pablo Rodriguez-Tabernero Torres (71-70 – 141; T5), senior
Teremoana Beaucousin (73-69 – 142; T8) and sophomore
Jake Fendt (68-75 – 143; 12). Senior
Christopher Guglielmo, after opening with an 82, came back in the second to record a 1-under par 71 and is tied for 46th at 9-over par 153.
"I am very proud of each one of these guys and how they've re-focused for this event on short rest," Odom said. "Everyone is playing so well and we are having a great time on and off the course. If we can maintain our mentality through tomorrow's round, we have a wonderful opportunity for a team and individual victory."
The third round gets underway on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (ET) and the Owls are scheduled to begin their final round 10:20 a.m. (ET) and will be grouped with South Alabama and South Florida. All the action can be followed live at
www.golfstatresults.com.
Keep up with Owls men's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
#GoKSUOwls
