Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raiders in 6th after first round of College Grove Regional
5/15/2017 5:13:00 PM | Men's Golf
Savoie shoots 69
DAY ONE RESULTS
TUESDAY TEE TIMES
PHOTO GALLERY
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – The first round of the men's golf NCAA College Grove Regional is in the books, and Middle Tennessee is firmly in the hunt for an NCAA Championship bid.
The Blue Raiders finished the day in sixth place with an overall team score of 1-over 289 behind senior Joey Savoie's 3-under 69. They sit just one stroke off of the coveted fifth spot that would qualify them for the NCAA Championships that take place May 26-31.
"It was a good, solid round of golf for us," head coach Brennan Webb said. "We didn't do anything spectacular by any means, but it was a good, solid start. We just need to get that fourth scorer and we'll be right where we need to be."
Savoie's 69 led the way for MT and put him in a tie for sixth going into Tuesday's second round. He's currently three strokes off the lead, held by Vanderbilt's Patrick Martin and Clemson's Bryson Nimmer.
His round started hot with birdies on three of the first four holes. He then played the remaining 14 holes even, with two bogeys and two birdies, including a four on the par-5 18th.
"The course was playing really easy compared to what we're used to," Savoie, an All-Conference USA First Team member, said. "There were plenty of birdie opportunities out there. I think the back nine always plays a little easier, but the tough holes on the front nine weren't as tough as they normally are because of the wind. It was a solid round today."
Other finishers for the blue and white included sophomore Marcus Byrd in a tie for 14th (1-under), freshman Chip Thomas in a tie for 24th (1-over), junior Hoyeong Kim in a tie for 45th (4-over) and freshman Ilari Saulo in 71st (9-over).
While it was a good start to the tournament, the Blue Raiders know the hard part is yet to come as the wind picks up and the greens get even faster over the next two days.
They are hoping their past experiences at their home course will help moving forward.
"This is probably as easy as The Grove is going to play with no wind, so it was a little different than what we're used to," Webb said. "We're used to the wind here, so I think that will be to our advantage.
"We've hit more good shots than anybody else on this property. We've hit more bad shots too, but it's certainly an advantage and we're hoping to take advantage of it."
Savoie said in order for Middle Tennessee to stay in the hunt, all five players will have to have consistent rounds on Tuesday to set them up with momentum for the final 18 on Wednesday.
"I think we're used to it, and we prepared as if it would be a windy type of golf course," he said. "I think mentally we're strong enough to play in those conditions. We just have to bounce back tomorrow and play better."
Having a good showing in the regional is only part of the event for the Blue Raiders.
MT is playing host to the tournament in conjunction with The Grove, and so far compliments of the golf course and event management have been aplenty.
"These people out here at The Grove are first class in everything they do, and I knew this would be a continuation of that. It's been phenomenal," Webb said.
TUESDAY TEE TIMES
PHOTO GALLERY
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – The first round of the men's golf NCAA College Grove Regional is in the books, and Middle Tennessee is firmly in the hunt for an NCAA Championship bid.
The Blue Raiders finished the day in sixth place with an overall team score of 1-over 289 behind senior Joey Savoie's 3-under 69. They sit just one stroke off of the coveted fifth spot that would qualify them for the NCAA Championships that take place May 26-31.
"It was a good, solid round of golf for us," head coach Brennan Webb said. "We didn't do anything spectacular by any means, but it was a good, solid start. We just need to get that fourth scorer and we'll be right where we need to be."
Savoie's 69 led the way for MT and put him in a tie for sixth going into Tuesday's second round. He's currently three strokes off the lead, held by Vanderbilt's Patrick Martin and Clemson's Bryson Nimmer.
His round started hot with birdies on three of the first four holes. He then played the remaining 14 holes even, with two bogeys and two birdies, including a four on the par-5 18th.
"The course was playing really easy compared to what we're used to," Savoie, an All-Conference USA First Team member, said. "There were plenty of birdie opportunities out there. I think the back nine always plays a little easier, but the tough holes on the front nine weren't as tough as they normally are because of the wind. It was a solid round today."
Other finishers for the blue and white included sophomore Marcus Byrd in a tie for 14th (1-under), freshman Chip Thomas in a tie for 24th (1-over), junior Hoyeong Kim in a tie for 45th (4-over) and freshman Ilari Saulo in 71st (9-over).
While it was a good start to the tournament, the Blue Raiders know the hard part is yet to come as the wind picks up and the greens get even faster over the next two days.
They are hoping their past experiences at their home course will help moving forward.
"This is probably as easy as The Grove is going to play with no wind, so it was a little different than what we're used to," Webb said. "We're used to the wind here, so I think that will be to our advantage.
"We've hit more good shots than anybody else on this property. We've hit more bad shots too, but it's certainly an advantage and we're hoping to take advantage of it."
Savoie said in order for Middle Tennessee to stay in the hunt, all five players will have to have consistent rounds on Tuesday to set them up with momentum for the final 18 on Wednesday.
"I think we're used to it, and we prepared as if it would be a windy type of golf course," he said. "I think mentally we're strong enough to play in those conditions. We just have to bounce back tomorrow and play better."
Having a good showing in the regional is only part of the event for the Blue Raiders.
MT is playing host to the tournament in conjunction with The Grove, and so far compliments of the golf course and event management have been aplenty.
"These people out here at The Grove are first class in everything they do, and I knew this would be a continuation of that. It's been phenomenal," Webb said.
Players Mentioned
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