Colorado University Athletics
Golfers In Seventh In Louisiana Classics
March 08, 2010 | Men's Golf
LAFAYETTE, La. -- The University of Colorado men's golf team resumed spring action here Monday, finding itself in the middle of the pack in seventh place after two rounds of the 25th Annual Louisiana Classics.
There's a three-way tie through 36 holes between No. 13 Tulsa, No. 28 Louisiana State and Tula, which is ranked 72nd nationally; all recorded 572 team scores, or 4-under par, and will play together in the final round. Colorado, ranked No. 82, is seventh with a 588 total, four strokes out of fourth, one back of sixth, but just five shots up on the five teams chasing it; just 28 strokes separate the entire 15-team field, with only 13 shots between fourth and 13th place.
This is an important tournament for the Buffaloes, who entered the week with a 38-66 record against Division I competition. Schools must be .500 or better to qualify for nationals, so a good finish here will help the Buffs move closer to a winning record.
The Buffs were tied for fifth after the morning round, when CU posted a 5-over 293 score, nine strokes behind first rounder leader Illinois, which recorded a 4-under 284.
Senior Justin Bardgett has the top CU performance through 36 holes, as he opened with a 2-under 70 on the 7,141-yard, par-72 Oakbourne Country Club course layout. He followed it up with a 1-over 73 to finish the day 1-under par overall with a 143 total; that has him tied for 12th individually. Sophomore Kevin Kring opened with a 1-under 71 and came back with 74 in the afternoon for 1-over 145 score, which ahs him tied for 19th; he closed his day with two straight birdies.
Sophomore Sebastian Heisele logged a 75-73--148 effort into the books, which has him tied for 33rd. He opened with a triple bogey after "putting two in drink," he said, but rallied to play the rest of the day at just 1-over. Rounding out the Buff players were junior Michael Imperato (77-75--152, tied for 55th) and freshman Derek Fribbs (78-75--153, tied for 62nd).
"Even though we shot two shots higher in the afternoon, as a team we played better," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "They had a cold winter down here and the Bermuda (grass) is pretty dormant, so it's a challenge for every team to figure it out. That's probably why most of are playing fairly equally. As you'd expect, some of the southern teams are okay with it.
"I was certainly encouraged today, our only problem was that we had too many big numbers. If we cut those out and still have the same number of birdies (on Tuesday), we'll shoot a good round and have a good finish."
Oakbourne is proving its usual challenge, as out of 84 players in the field, just 16 players bested par in the first round, with another six equaling it, but there were only four rounds in the 60s, with the Illini's Scott Langley the sole individual leader with a 4-under 68. The second time around the track, 18 players scored in the red, six in the 60s, with seven matching par.
Langley matched his morning 68 for an 8-under par 136 score, good for a four stroke lead over three players heading into Tuesday's final round. That will get underway with a 7:00 a.m. MST shotgun start.
BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS
T12. Justin Bardgett........................... 70-73--143
T19. Kevin Kring................................... 71-74--145
T33. Sebastian Heisele....................... 75-73--148
T55. Michael Imperato........................ 77-75--152
T62. Derek Fribbs................................ 78-75--153
TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1. Scott Langley, Illinois................. 68-68--136
T2. Philipp Westernmann, SE La..... 69-71--140
T2. Adam West, UAB....................... 70-70--140
T2. Matt Eschenburg, Houston......... 70-70--140
5. Andrew Loupe, LSU.................... 74-67--141
TEAM SCORES
1. Tulsa........................................ 289-283--572
1. Illinois...................................... 284-288--572
1. Louisiana State....................... 295-277--572
4. SE Louisiana............................ 287-293--580
5. Houston................................... 297-290--587
5. Alabama-Birmingham............ 293-294--587
7. COLORADO............................. 293-295--588
8. Southern Miss......................... 294-296--590
9. Texas State............................. 296-296--592
9. SMU......................................... 299-293--592
11. Memphis................................. 289-304--593
11. New Orleans............................ 297-296--593
13. Arkansas-Little Rock.............. 295-301--596
14. Louisiana-Lafayette................ 302-296--598
15. Kansas..................................... 299-301--600
