Colorado University Athletics
Golfers Remain In 13th In The Battle At The Beach
February 14, 2011 | Men's Golf
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The University of Colorado men's golf team had its troubles for the second straight day here Monday, as the Buffaloes could not improve their standing and remained in 13th (last) place in the second annual Battle at the Beach.
No. 25 San Diego maintained the two stroke lead it had after 18 holes, though now is 1-over par with a 701 team score. No. 27 Washington moved into second with a 3-over 703 score, with co-host and No. 2-ranked UCLA lurking in third at 6-over 706.
The Buffaloes struggled to one of their worst single round scores in recent memory, a 35-over par 385, which added to a 58-over 758 total through two rounds. Things are a bit exacerbated for the Buffaloes, with a field that features nine top 50 teams (six top 27) and the format that calls for five players scoring for the team instead of the usual four, one that benefits deeper teams. But the Buffs are 11 strokes out of 12th place, and will need to rally in Tuesday's final round to avoid their first last place finish since the 2005 Louisiana Classics, when CU was 15th out of 15 teams.
Sophomore Jason Burstyn posted CU's best score for the second straight day, turning in a 4-over 74 for a 143 total, or 3-over on the 6,900-yard, par-70 Ocean North Course at Pelican Hill Golf Club course; that has him tied for 22nd place. Though not as steady as his first round which included three birdies and 13 pars, he had four birdies and seven pars but six bogeys and a double, the latter coming on No. 18 to end his round. His seven total birdies is a team best through 36 holes.
Junior Kevin Kring put another 5-over 75 into the books for a 36-hole total of 150, which is tied for 57th. The team leader in stroke average (73.0) has had his struggles his last three rounds, and though recording three birdies and nine pars Monday, he had four bogeys and his first multiple-double bogey round of the year with two (he has just eight total in 306 holes on the season). His 21 pars here is tied for the team lead.
Senior Luke Symons shot a second consecutive 76 and is tied for 65th with a 12-over 152 total. Still not 100 percent back from two hip surgeries he underwent within the past 18 months, he managed two birdies and nine pars against six bogeys and a double.
Sophomore Pat Wilson is tied for 72nd, firing a 12-over 82 for a 158 total (18-over par). He had 10 pars, five bogeys, two doubles and a triple on his round Monday.
Sophomores Derek Fribbs and Johnny Widmer round out the CU performers, as both are 21-over par through 36 holes (161), as the duo is tied for 79th. Widmer carded an 8-over 78 on Monday, as he had 10 pars, five bogeys and two doubles before closing his round with a birdie on No. 18; he's tied with Kring for the most parts by a Buff. Fribbs uncharacteristically struggled a second straight day, turning in a 14-over 84; he had two birdies and just five pars, against seven bogeys, three doubles and a triple.
"We made too many big numbers again today; we'd do something well, and then we'd turn right around and have a three-putt here or there or something else," CU head coach Roy Edwards said. "The course was definitely tougher than the first round, the greens were firmer and the hole locations harder. But we're making it more difficult than it is. The frustration builds, but none of the guys want to play bad or throw in the towel. We have to keep managing our games when we're not playing our best, and we just haven't done that well though we're aware of it.
"We felt we were ready to play but came out flat again. We know better days are ahead, that's for sure, and we'll see if we can start by having a good final day here."
The third and final round is set for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday.
BUFFALO INDIVIDUALS
T22. Jason Burstyn............................. 69-74--143
T57. Kevin Kring................................... 75-75--150
T65. Luke Symons.............................. 76-76--152
T72. Pat Wilson.................................. 76-82--158
T79. Derek Fribbs................................ 77-84--161
T79. Johnny Widmer.......................... 83-78--161
TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS
1. Kenneth McCready, San Diego... 65-67--132
2. Connor Driscoll, UCLA................ 67-68--135
3. Patrick Cantley, UCLA................ 68-69--137
T4. Patrick Reed, Augusta State...... 72-66--138
T4. Alex Ching, San Diego................ 68-70--138
TEAM SCORES
1. San Diego................................ 348-353--701
2. Washington............................. 351-352--703
3. UCLA....................................... 353-353--706
4. Tennessee............................... 355-358--713
5. Arizona State........................... 351-363--714
6. Augusta State......................... 350-366--716
7. Arkansas................................. 353-365--718
7. San Diego State...................... 362-356--718
9. Oregon State........................... 365-362--727
10. UC-Davis................................. 355-373--728
11. Texas-Arlington...................... 372-366--738
12. Long Beach State.................... 366-381--747
13. COLORADO............................. 373-385--758
