First Round Results | Dogwood Invitational

ATLANTA, Ga. – Playing in one of Georgia' premiere amateur events, Kennesaw State rising senior Jake Fendt opened with a 5-under par 65 and holds the first round lead at the 52nd Dogwood Invitational that opened Wednesday at historic Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta.
 
Fendt began his round in impressive fashion, carding birdies on his first two holes en route to a bogey-free round and one-shot lead over the University of Arizona's David Laskin, Auburn University's Jacob Solomon and University of Georgia's Spencer Ralston. All three players opened with a 6-under par 66.
 
"My goal was to make the 54-hole cut and be around on the weekend," Fendt said. "I never really had a set-in-stone goal, just go out there and try to play my best."

Fendt learned from his practice round that there was no need to take a chance hitting a wild driver around the tight Druid Hills course. So, he kept the big stick in the bag for most of the day and was content with hitting a 2-iron off most of the tees.  

"I've been struggling with my driver and I think I'm onto something," Fendt said. "Honestly, I hit my 2-iron off every single tee box and only hit driver where you can kind of spray it."

The impressive field includes defending champion Lloyd Jefferson Go, a native of the Philippines and graduate of Seton Hall University, 2018 Palmer Cup competitor S.M. Lee, 2016 Dogwood champion Charles Huntzinger, 2017 Georgia Amateur champion Justin Connelly, 2016 Georgia Amateur champion Colin Bowles and 2017 Dogwood runner-up Luke Schniederjans of Georgia Tech.
 
The tournament has been the proving ground for players like Masters champion Adam Scott, U.S. Open champions Dustin Johnson and Webb Simpson and PGA Tour winners Brian Harman, Chris Kirk and Hudson Swafford.
 
Tournament action continues with the second round on Thursday and Fendt scheduled to tee off at 9:28 a.m. A 54-hole hole cut will be made following Friday's third round with the final 18 holes scheduled for Saturday. For more information on the Dogwood Invitational and to follow the action live, visit www.TheDogwood.com.  
 
About The Dogwood Invitational
The Dogwood Invitational is an elite amateur golf championship established to promote the game of amateur golf and support junior golf organizations. Held at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, the tournament is an internationally ranked top amateur golf event that began in 1941. The tournament is run by The Dogwood Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and proceeds from sponsorships are directed to the Georgia Junior Golf Association and the Druid Hills Golf Club Foundation. Find out more at www.thedogwood.com.
 
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To learn more about The Owls Fund visit www.ksuowls.com/theowlsfund.
   
 

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