Cobras Have Strong Showing at Day One of Bearcat Classic

GREENWOOD, S.C.- The Coker University men's golf team finished day one of the Bearcat Invitational today (March 7). The Cobras are competing against several ranked teams and conference opponents. 

Coker currently sits tied for eighth place after two rounds today with a team score of 590 (+14).

Caleb Tidd is in 13th place after shooting a 144 (E) on the day. Killian Ryan shot a 149 (+5) through two rounds. Jonathan Hallinger shot a 151 (+7), Fred Tindale shot a 153 (+9), and Coleman Bess shot a 153 (+9). 

We just had a few bad holes that cost us in each round and the par 3 6th hole absolutely kicked our behind," Coach Hackney said. "If we play No. 6 even par, instead of 7 over, we would have a great chance of winning tomorrow."

The Cobras are just 14 shots off the lead of the No. 4 team in NCAA DII: Carson Newman. The superb Southeast  Region field includes 11 teams in the top 40, including No. 36 Coker.

"We just had a few loose swings and missed too many makeable putts in the windy first round, when we shot 12 over, but we bounced back with a solid second round of 2 over 290, which was 4th best on the course, to move within striking distance. We had 11 birdies and an eagle by Caleb Tidd in the first round, but we carded 18 birdies in a second round that featured off and on rain the last 1.5 hours.

Killian was brilliant in the first round, notching four birdies to shoot 70. Caleb, who hit the ball 

well all day, found his putting stroke in the second round, when he shot 3-under 69 with five birdies.

Fred Tindale rebounded from a morning 81 to post an even-par 72 with five birdies in the afternoon. Jonathan Hallinger put up a 74 in the afternoon with four birdies and Coleman Bess made three afternoon birdies en route to a 75.

Tidd is tied for 13th at 75-69-144...even par.

"I love the resolve our guys showed today, so I expect we will go low tomorrow," Coach Hackney said.