Linksters positive about tourney chances

Monday, April 16

Orlando, Fla.

Middle Tennessee

Sun Belt Championships

Photo by: MT

4/15/2007 5:31:00 PM | Men's Golf

By: MT Media Relations

ORLANDO, Fla. - Middle Tennessee has put together an outstanding season, posting a sterling 105-29-1 record and surging into the national Top 50; however, the remarkable season now comes down to three days for the Blue Raider men's golf team. · Photos: Practice Round Gallery The Blue Raiders open play in the Sun Belt Conference Golf Championships at Walt Disney World's Magnolia Course Monday morning, seeking the program's first regional since 2000. "These guys understand the significance of what we are down here for, and we have been playing well," Middle Tennessee head men's golf coach Johnny Moore said. "There is no defense in this game, just offense, so we can control our destiny in that regard. We just have to play as well as we can and see how the cards shake out, but I do feel as good about this team as any I have had entering the conference tournament in a long time." There's good reason for Moore's optimism. The Blue Raiders have turned in nine Top 5 finishes in 11 tournaments, including finishing third or higher in five straight events, and Middle Tennessee is the highest-rated men's team nationally in the SBC. Making up the five-man lineup for this week's event are Chas Narramore, Craig Smith, Spencer Provow, Kent Bulle, and Rick Cochran. These five players, which are comprised of two freshmen, two sophomores, and a senior, will be tested on the Magnolia Course, which hosts a PGA Tour event and has seen the likes of Tiger Woods, Payne Stewart, Mark O'Meara, Jack Nicklaus, and Vijay Singh, among others. The course; however, could be a perfect fit for Middle Tennessee's big hitters. It is the longest of all the Disney Course at 7,190 yards with wide fairways. Competitors will have to take caution, though, as 11 of the 18 holes have water, and 97 bunkers scattered around the scenic landscape provide a difficult challenge. The course record of 61 is held by Payne Stewart. "It's a difficult course, but I believe it's a good course for our team," said Narramore, a sophomore who has produced a 72.8 stroke average during the 2006-07 season. "Everyone is playing well and we are looking forward to the tournament and what could lie ahead. We have had tournaments were all five guys have played well at the same time, but we still haven't showed everything we have. Hopefully, that will come out this week." In addition to Narramore, who was named SBC Golfer of the Month in October, the Blue Raiders will look to continued strong performances from its lineup. Smith, a freshman, has produced a 72.5 stroke average this spring, and he has finished fourth or higher in four of six spring tournaments. Overall, he leads Middle Tennessee with a 71.5 average for the 06-07 season. Bulle, another heralded freshman, could be a perfect fit for the long course. The big hitter has a 73.1 stroke average this spring, and 73.9 for the year. Cochran had a stellar fall and was the SBC's Golfer of the Month in September. He fashioned a 72.9 average in the fall and posted three Top 10 finishes. After a slow start to the spring season, Cochran came on strong down the stretch and finished third at the UALR First Tee Collegiate. Provow, the team's lone senior, is coming off his best tournament as a Blue Raider, finishing tied for second at the Middle Tennessee/Aldila Intercollegiate with a 214 at Old Fort Golf Course. "Balance is the key and we have balance," Moore said. "I have never been in this position before and it's a really good feeling." The Blue Raiders tee off Monday at 6:30 a.m.