The Drake University men's golf team finished the first day of the ODU/Outer Banks Intercollegiate in ninth with a 36-hole total of 574 (290-284). The Bulldogs are just one stroke behind the eighth-place team, Winthrop.
"It always feels good to improve the team score from round one to round two," said head coach
Matt Lewis following Monday's rounds.
Two rounds were played Monday due to inclement weather postponing play on Sunday. The Bulldogs will return to action on Tuesday morning for the final round of play. Through two rounds of play, North Dakota State is in first place with a one-stroke lead over the host team, Old Dominion.
Drake was led by junior Tim Lim who finished the day with a 36-hole total of 141 (71-70), which is tied for 17th place with one round to play.
Chase Wicklund recovered from a shaky first round with a two-under-par second round, including four-under-par through hist first 10 holes, to finish the day with a 145 (76-69) in a tie for 35th. Freshman
Nick Pittman also fired a 145 (74-71) to tie for 35th through 36 holes.
"Chase had a nice bounce-back [second] round leading our team with a solid 69. Tim and Nick also played well," Lewis said of the team's top scorers through two rounds.
Shayne Patel finished just behind Wicklund and Pittman with a 146 (71-75) which is tied for 43rd. Sophomore
Lucas Scherf also finished close behind, his 36-hole total of 148 (74-74) currently is tied for 51st overall.
"We will rest up and get ready for our final 18 tomorrow morning," Lewis said. "The guys are hitting it well. If we can get the putts to fall I believe we will score well tomorrow."
Following the conclusion of the event, Drake will begin its offseason as the team prepares for the Spring season. The Spring season will kick off with the Earl Yestingsmeier Match Play event hosted by Ball State in Dade City, Fla. on Feb. 10-11.
Drake Individual Results
T17. Tim Lim, 71-70 – 141
T35. Chase Wicklund, 76-69 – 145
T35. Nick Pittman, 74-71 – 145
T43. Shayne Patel, 71-75 – 146
T51. Lucas Scherf, 74-74 – 148
