Nov. 3, 2009
Final Standings | Season Stats
SAPPHIRE, N.C. — Behind the play of seniors Ben Fuqua and Jordan Blann, who finished tied for fourth and tied for 10th, respectfully, the Kentucky men’s golf team posted its best finish of the year, finishing tied for second at the Hummingbird Intercollegiate on Tuesday.
“We gave ourselves a great chance to win this event,” said head coach Brian Craig. “Unfortunately, we did not finish it off but I am proud of our efforts. This experience will unquestionably help us the next time we are in contention.”
Fuqua’s top-five finish is the second top-five finish of the season for the senior. The native of Danville, Ky., shot an even-par 71 in the final round to finish the tournament with a 3-under-par 139. Fuqua scored five birdies in the final round, more than any other Wildcat in the final 18 holes. The senior started the round on fire by posting birdies on two of the first three holes, spending time on top of the individual leaderboard.
Blann, who has finished first or second in the Kentucky rotation in every tournament except one this season, finished the final round with a 2-over-par 73. The native of Bowling Green, Ky., had four birdies in the final 18 holes. The senior was 1-under-par at the turn and spent time on top of the individual leaderboard. Blann ends the tournament with a total score of 1-under-par 141.
The best Kentucky round of the day was turned in by freshman Chase Parker. The native of Augusta, Ga., finished the final round with a 1-under-par 70. Parker pared the first eight holes he played on Tuesday, before birdying the ninth hole to make the turn at 1-under-par. The freshman continued his strong play on the back nine by birdying three of the first five holes to sit at 4-under-par. Parker started the final round in a tie for 25th and finished the tournament tied for 14th at even-par.
Sophomore Mads Kristensen and junior Brian Belden concluded the scoring for Kentucky. Kristensen finished the tournament tied for 47th, while Belden finished tied for 83rd. Senior Derek Oldham, playing as an individual in the tournament, finished tied for 76th.
The tournament title was won by Furman University, who finished the tournament at 1-under-par with a 36-hole total of 567. The individual title was won by Furman’s Garland Ferrell with a 7-under-par 135.
This is the Wildcats last tournament of the fall season. Kentucky will start the spring season the second week of February when they travel to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to play in the Jacksonville University Invitational.
