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 Matt Cook placed seventh in WCU's first event of 2006-07. |
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Sept. 19, 2006
Florence, S.C. - Western Carolina's men's golf team had a successful outing in its first event of the 2006-07 season, placing seventh with an 885 total in the 18-team Francis Marion/Raines Development Group Intercollegiate, played at the Country Club of South Carolina. Not only was it a deep and talented field, but Western was able to get its first look at the Country Club of South Carolina, which is the site of the 2007 Southern Conference Championships.
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The 885 was the fifth-lowest, 54-hole team score in WCU history.
The Catamounts were led by junior Matt Cook, who improved 10 spots on the final day with his 71 Tuesday. The Murphy native tied for seventh with his 54-hole score of 216 (73-72-71), which was just three shots off the lead. Transfer Andres Cuenca carded a three-round score of 217 (73-70-74), tying for 10th.
"Overall, I was happy with our performance," said third-year head coach Gorham Bradley. "This was a tough field, including NCAA tournament team Jacksonville, six SoCon teams and traditional power USC-Aiken. To have four new players on this trip and to play tough competition, this was a good start for our team."
Jacksonville won the event, shooting 874, edging Troy by one stroke. They were followed by Chattanooga, Furman and Elon. Duncan Stewart of Jacksonville won the event in a playoff.
Rounding our Western's scoring was Robert Wilhelm (58th with 227); Cody Walker (68th with a 231) and Patrick Lamb (91st with a 239). While the freshmen Wilhelm and Lamb had some struggles, Wilhelm fired a 72 in the second round, while Lamb posted an even-par 72 Tuesday to help the Cats fired the second-lowest team round of the day.
Western Carolina's men's and women's golf teams will return to action this weekend (Sept. 23-24) at the Elon/Sea Trail Intercollegiate, played at Sunset Beach, N.C., at Sea Trail Resort.
