Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Rose, FIU Athletics
Burris leads C-USA Championship through 18 holes
4/17/2017 2:30:00 PM | Women's Golf
Raiders in second place, four strokes off pace
Round One Results
FORT MYERS, Fla. – After 18 holes of the Conference USA Championship at Verandah Club, the Blue Raiders are in place to contend for a third-straight league title over the next two days with sophomore Jenna Burris on top of the individual leaderboard and only Old Dominion leading Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Raiders sat in the middle of the pack early on, but after making the turn onto the back nine Burris and her teammates shot up the leaderboard to finish the day in second place at 4-over par (292). MT is just three strokes back of tournament leader ODU (289).
"Coming in as the fifth seed was a little different for us this year," Head Coach Chris Adams said. "We knew we had our work cut out for us in a league with some really deep teams, but we know what we are capable of doing, especially on a course we are very comfortable on.
"We know we have two more days and just have to stay focused and stick to our game plan. We're in a good spot after the first day and I don't think we have played our best golf yet."
The Manchester, Tenn., native carded seven birdies on the day to just two bogeys and sits one stroke clear of the second place individual after her 5-under 67 on Monday.
"I'm extremely excited with how well Jenna played today," Adams said. "It was just one of those days where she had it going and no putt was out of her range.
"I think the turning point was the 20-foot putt to save par after going in the water on nine. That was a huge momentum changer for her today."
Senior Samantha Gotcher started the day with 14 consecutive pars before finishing tied for 11th at 2-over 74 for the day. Sophomore Hanley Long carded two birdies on the back nine to finish just one stroke back of Gotcher at 3-over (75) and tied for 16th.
"Stretch was hitting the ball very well today but just had a couple of bogeys at the end to slightly throw off a very strong performance," Adams added. "Hanley really gutted it out today knowing that her ball striking wasn't really on. To battle through that is kind of tough on a golf course that is very demanding, so I'm very proud of how she finished."
Freshman Katherine Holmes entered the ninth hole at even par before stumbling with a triple bogey, but finished with a 4-over 76 despite the three-stroke setback just before the turn.
"The way Katherine really turned it around after her triple on nine and kept her focus to card a good round and keep us in striking distance was extremely encouraging to see from a freshman in her first conference tournament," Adams said.
Junior Cynthia Bounleutay rounded out the Blue Raider lineup with a 6-over 78 on day one, fighting back from a tough front nine with a 1-over par score on the back nine.
"I think Cynthia probably came out of the gates a little anxious, but I fully expect her to bounce back on a course that suits her game well," Adams stated.
Middle Tennessee is in the top group for day two alongside Old Dominion and UTSA. Bounleutay will go off of the first tee at 7:50 p.m. CT followed by Holmes, Long, Gotcher and Burris.
Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – After 18 holes of the Conference USA Championship at Verandah Club, the Blue Raiders are in place to contend for a third-straight league title over the next two days with sophomore Jenna Burris on top of the individual leaderboard and only Old Dominion leading Middle Tennessee.
The Blue Raiders sat in the middle of the pack early on, but after making the turn onto the back nine Burris and her teammates shot up the leaderboard to finish the day in second place at 4-over par (292). MT is just three strokes back of tournament leader ODU (289).
"Coming in as the fifth seed was a little different for us this year," Head Coach Chris Adams said. "We knew we had our work cut out for us in a league with some really deep teams, but we know what we are capable of doing, especially on a course we are very comfortable on.
"We know we have two more days and just have to stay focused and stick to our game plan. We're in a good spot after the first day and I don't think we have played our best golf yet."
The Manchester, Tenn., native carded seven birdies on the day to just two bogeys and sits one stroke clear of the second place individual after her 5-under 67 on Monday.
"I'm extremely excited with how well Jenna played today," Adams said. "It was just one of those days where she had it going and no putt was out of her range.
"I think the turning point was the 20-foot putt to save par after going in the water on nine. That was a huge momentum changer for her today."
Senior Samantha Gotcher started the day with 14 consecutive pars before finishing tied for 11th at 2-over 74 for the day. Sophomore Hanley Long carded two birdies on the back nine to finish just one stroke back of Gotcher at 3-over (75) and tied for 16th.
"Stretch was hitting the ball very well today but just had a couple of bogeys at the end to slightly throw off a very strong performance," Adams added. "Hanley really gutted it out today knowing that her ball striking wasn't really on. To battle through that is kind of tough on a golf course that is very demanding, so I'm very proud of how she finished."
Freshman Katherine Holmes entered the ninth hole at even par before stumbling with a triple bogey, but finished with a 4-over 76 despite the three-stroke setback just before the turn.
"The way Katherine really turned it around after her triple on nine and kept her focus to card a good round and keep us in striking distance was extremely encouraging to see from a freshman in her first conference tournament," Adams said.
Junior Cynthia Bounleutay rounded out the Blue Raider lineup with a 6-over 78 on day one, fighting back from a tough front nine with a 1-over par score on the back nine.
"I think Cynthia probably came out of the gates a little anxious, but I fully expect her to bounce back on a course that suits her game well," Adams stated.
Middle Tennessee is in the top group for day two alongside Old Dominion and UTSA. Bounleutay will go off of the first tee at 7:50 p.m. CT followed by Holmes, Long, Gotcher and Burris.
Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 28, 2025: Women's Golf and Men's Golf
Tuesday, April 29
"The Middle" - MT Athletics 2019 Lip Dub
Friday, April 26
@MT_WGolf NCAA Regional - Day 3
Saturday, May 07
