Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Monday, May 17
Stillwater, OK
Middle Tennessee
vs
NCAA Stillwater Regional
Karsten Creek gets best of Blue Raiders on day one
5/17/2021 8:48:00 PM | Men's Golf
Jegers leads turnaround effort in round two
STILLWATER, Okla. – With 36 holes on the docket Monday at the NCAA Stillwater Regional on the always challenging Karsten Creek Golf Club, the Blue Raider Men's Golf team struggled to find the consistency it needed to put itself in close range of a Top 5 spot thru two rounds.
The Blue Raiders had stretches – both early and late in round one and for nearly the entire front nine in round two – where they competed with anyone and everyone on the course. The danger of carding big numbers bit MT on a few too many occasions, however, erasing the bright spots the squad posted on day one to see it close out the day at 22-over par and in 12th place.
"We got a little bit too far behind the eight ball early today," Head Coach Mark McEntire said. "We played number two 9-over par as a team and that really gave us a lot to overcome, but I'm very proud of the way our guys hung in there, battled the course and turned it around to post some better numbers in the afternoon."
Blue Raider rookie Kevin Jegers led the turnaround effort in round two with an impressive 3-under par 69 and leads the bunch after two rounds in Stillwater at 2-over par (77-69=146) to share 24th in the field of 75.
Connor McKay overcame an early misstep in round one to post the low score for the Blue Raiders at 2-over par 74, and then followed that up with another 2-over par 74 to finish the day tied for 35th.
Like his rookie classmate, Owen Stamper was primed for a stellar turnaround as well before a late mistake on 17 saw him slip to a 2-over par round and 5-over par (75-74=149) total thru 36 holes.
Both Michael Barnard and Tanner Owens turned in rounds of 6-over par 78 and 5-over par 77 on Monday and will look to improve in the final round and help their squad make up ground.
"The guys played the second round pretty solid minus a few tough breaks late in the round," McEntire added. "I definitely expected some nerves today from a few guys but Owen and Kevin worked through it quickly and Connor has done what he's done all year and quickly overcome adversity on the course."
The Blue Raiders made the turn in the afternoon with a 3-under par mark that was among the Top 4 rounds in the field at the time, and finished the round 10 strokes better than the opening round at 6-over par.
That turnaround was in large part thanks to MT's ability to navigate the Par 5s, on which they rank fourth in the field at 14-under par with Stamper leading the entire field at 7-under par.
MT also boasted three eagles the day – courtesy of Owens, Jegers and Stamper – that made it one of only two teams in the field with three or more eagles alongside No. 4 Oklahoma State who is playing on its home course.
The 13-team field in Stillwater will now hope to navigate incoming weather as they look to get the final 18 holes completed in some fashion over the next two days.
The journey to finish the 54-hole competition will continue Tuesday morning with a delayed start time of 10:00 a.m.
The Blue Raiders had stretches – both early and late in round one and for nearly the entire front nine in round two – where they competed with anyone and everyone on the course. The danger of carding big numbers bit MT on a few too many occasions, however, erasing the bright spots the squad posted on day one to see it close out the day at 22-over par and in 12th place.
"We got a little bit too far behind the eight ball early today," Head Coach Mark McEntire said. "We played number two 9-over par as a team and that really gave us a lot to overcome, but I'm very proud of the way our guys hung in there, battled the course and turned it around to post some better numbers in the afternoon."
Blue Raider rookie Kevin Jegers led the turnaround effort in round two with an impressive 3-under par 69 and leads the bunch after two rounds in Stillwater at 2-over par (77-69=146) to share 24th in the field of 75.
Connor McKay overcame an early misstep in round one to post the low score for the Blue Raiders at 2-over par 74, and then followed that up with another 2-over par 74 to finish the day tied for 35th.
Like his rookie classmate, Owen Stamper was primed for a stellar turnaround as well before a late mistake on 17 saw him slip to a 2-over par round and 5-over par (75-74=149) total thru 36 holes.
Both Michael Barnard and Tanner Owens turned in rounds of 6-over par 78 and 5-over par 77 on Monday and will look to improve in the final round and help their squad make up ground.
"The guys played the second round pretty solid minus a few tough breaks late in the round," McEntire added. "I definitely expected some nerves today from a few guys but Owen and Kevin worked through it quickly and Connor has done what he's done all year and quickly overcome adversity on the course."
The Blue Raiders made the turn in the afternoon with a 3-under par mark that was among the Top 4 rounds in the field at the time, and finished the round 10 strokes better than the opening round at 6-over par.
That turnaround was in large part thanks to MT's ability to navigate the Par 5s, on which they rank fourth in the field at 14-under par with Stamper leading the entire field at 7-under par.
MT also boasted three eagles the day – courtesy of Owens, Jegers and Stamper – that made it one of only two teams in the field with three or more eagles alongside No. 4 Oklahoma State who is playing on its home course.
The 13-team field in Stillwater will now hope to navigate incoming weather as they look to get the final 18 holes completed in some fashion over the next two days.
The journey to finish the 54-hole competition will continue Tuesday morning with a delayed start time of 10:00 a.m.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
A look back: 1965 and 1985 Undefeated Blue Raider Football Teams
Wednesday, September 17
True Blue Testimonials - Caroline Macander MTSU Volleyball Setter - Presented by MMC
Tuesday, September 16
MTSU Football at Nevada cinematic recap – 9/13/25
Tuesday, September 16
Derek Mason LIVE: Presented by The Boulevard Bar & Grille Week 4
Tuesday, September 16
