MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ? Despite battling early morning stormy weather conditions, Austin Peay State University senior golfer Grant Leaver fired an opening-day four-under par 140, Monday,to own the lead heading into the final round of the Aldila/Middle Tennessee State Intercollegiate, being played at the Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro.
As a team the Govs fired a season-low two-round 587 (300-287), on the par-72 course. That total was good enough for fourth place after two rounds as host Middle Tennessee leads the way at 581. In fact, the Govs' second-round 287 matched the tourney low shot by the Blue Raiders. Southern Miss is in second place (583) followed by UALR (584). OVC rival Jacksonville State sits in ninth at 608 after two rounds.
Leaver fired an opening round 71 in wet conditions before improving to 69 in the afternoon. He was not the only Gov who played well, Monday. Sophomore Erik Barnes battled back after a tough first round (76) to close out his second round with back-to-back birdies to finish at 69 for a 145 total.
“Grant was great today,” said head coach Kirk Kayden. “He's been the leader for our team this whole season and I was impressed with how he hit the ball today. Anytime you go out and finish four-under par you're doing some things right.
“I also was really proud of how Erik rebounded after being four-over in his first five holes.”
Brian Balthrop shot a 76-75 (151/25th) while fellow freshman Luke Sherrod bounced back from a opening-round 79 for a 74 second-round total for 153 (t38th). Senior Ben Glover came in at 77-76 for 153, also tying him for 38th.
Freshman Jamie Neilson, playing as an individual fired 82-77 for 159.
“Heading into this tournament I really thought we would be successful if we could get good production from our three through five guys,” Kayden said. ”Today I thought we did a better job in that and I thought we closed the round better."
The 54-hole event will continue with the final round beginning at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday.
-AP-
