Posted: Mar 08, 2022
GREENWOOD, S.C.- The Coker University men's golf team wrapped up competition at the Bearcat Golf Classic yesterday (March 8). The Cobras placed 12th overall with key wins over South Atlantic Conference foes.
"I thought we played well today from tee to green, but just could not get any putts to fall," head coach John Hackney said. "We must have missed more than 20 birdie putts from inside 12 to 15 feet. It was just one of those days where there seemed to be a lid over the cup for us. We also did not play the par 5s well. While most teams were taking advantage of the soft conditions, we were 7-over on the part 5s. We only managed six birdies today in perfect weather, compared to 20 yesterday afternoon in the rain."
Senior captain Coleman Bess paced the Cobras with a 1-over par 73 that included just one birdie and two bogeys. Bess hit nine fairways and 12 greens and needed just 31 putts. Bess fired rounds of 78-74-73 to place 55th of 112 golfers.
Sophomore Caleb Tidd, who was tied for 13th after opening with rounds of 75 and 69, slipped to tied for 33rd with a 77 on Tuesday, when he was victimized by two double bogeys.
"Fred Tindale played some beautiful golf from tee to green but only managed a 75 today since he just couldn't get any putts to fall," Hackney said. Junior Killian Ryan, who opened with a 70 on Monday, wound up 42nd after shooting 75 on Tuesday. Johnny Hallinger rounded out the scoring with a 76 in the final round.
"You just can't compete at this level when you only make six birdies in a round, so we have to figure out how to get the ball in the hole. We have a superb team, so we're just going to chalk it up as one of those days and get ready to bounce back at the Hargett Memorial in Monroe next week."
Barton blitzed the field by shooting 12-under Tuesday, claiming the team title by 12 shots over nationally 4th-ranked Carson-Newman and 18th-ranked host Lander University. Barton's Bryson Boyette won medalist honors at 70-69-67-206. Eleven players finished under par for the three rounds at Greenwood Country Club.
The Cobras are back in action on Monday, March 14, 2022 when they compete in the Ralph J. Hargett Memorial hosted at the Rolling Hill Country Club in Monroe, N.C., live coverage can be found at www.cokercobras.com