Gamecocks T-7th After One Round at Carpet Capital Collegiate

Sept. 5, 2014

Results

ROCKY FACE, Ga. — The South Carolina men’s golf team posted a 291 (+3) on Friday in the first round of the Carpet Capital Collegiate at The Farm Golf Club.

The Gamecocks wrapped up the day in a tie for seventh place with 36 holes left to play. Kennesaw State leads the tournament with a total of 281 (-7), followed by LSU (282), North Carolina (286), Wake Forest (286), Alabama (286) and Clemson (287).

Sophomore Ben Dietrich carded the low round of the day for the Gamecocks, shooting a 1-under 71 to finish tied for 13th.

Senior Caleb Sturgeon, junior Will Starke and junior Sean Kelly, who is playing as an individual, each shot a 1-over 73 and are tied for 24th. Junior Matt NeSmith finished the round tied for 35th after shooting a 74 (+2), while senior Will Murphy is tied for 43rd after turning in a 75 (+3).

Chattanooga’s Andrew Weathers and LSU’s Benjamin Taylor lead the tournament after each firing a 5-under 67.

Round Changer
The Gamecocks were 5-under through six holes but they played holes seven and eight at 8-over on their way to making the turn 1-over.

Key Stat
Dietrich played the four par-5s at 3-under on the day, making birdies on holes two, 12 and 15 and a par on the par-5 ninth.

Notables
• Dietrich, Sturgeon, NeSmith and Kelly all shot even-par 36 on the front nine.
• Dietrich carded his third round of 1-under 71 this season.
• Starke eagled the par-5 12th, one of three recorded on the hole on Friday.

Quotable
South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald
“It was a frustrating day. We got off to a great start and then lost several shots to par on holes seven and eight. We fought hard on the back nine and hung tough I thought. A good round tomorrow and we are right back in the tournament. The guys look good and are certainly capable of going low. We are looking forward to the next two rounds.”

Up Next
The Gamecocks will tee off in the second round on Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m. and will be paired with Chattanooga and Georgia Tech. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.

South Carolina ResultsT13. Ben Dietrich (2)       71 (-1)T24. Caleb Sturgeon (1)       73 (+1)T24. Will Starke (3)     73 (+1)T35. Matt NeSmith (4)           74 (+2)T43. Will Murphy (5)     75 (+3)*T24. Sean Kelly      73 (+1)*Playing as an individual
Team Standings1. Kennesaw State       281 (-7)2. LSU              282 (-6)T3. Alabama             286 (-2)T3. North Carolina      286 (-2)T3. Wake Forest         286 (-2)6. Clemson          287 (-1)T7. South Carolina       291 (+3)T7. Chattanooga         291 (+3)9. Georgia Tech         293 (+5)10. Auburn          294 (+6)11. Tennessee           296 (+8)T12. Middle Tennessee St.   300 (+12)T12. North Florida      300 (+12)14. Florida             312 (+24)