Oct. 29, 2013
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Senior Ben Stow recorded the fourth hole-in-one in the tournament’s history, as the University of Kentucky men’s golf team finished in a tie for third at The Invitational at The Ocean Course Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats finished at 12-over par (876), while No. 17 South Florida won the tournament with a score of seven-over par.
“We had a chance to win today with five holes to play,” said Kentucky head coach Brian Craig. “We did not perform like we are capable at the end, but the effort was there. This experience will help our team in the end, but it is a little bittersweet right now.”
As a team, UK shot seven-over par, 295 on Tuesday and was in a good position late in the round, but struggled down the stretch. The Wildcats recorded top-five finishes in all four fall tournaments, including two in the top three. Rounding out the top five after South Florida (+7) was South Alabama at 11-over par, UK and Georgia at 12-over par and Georgia Southern at 33-over par.
Stow’s hole-in-one on the par-3, 5th hole is the fourth hole-in-one in the four-year history of the Invitational at The Ocean Course and second on hole No. 5. Coincidentally, two of the four hole-in-ones have come in the tournament this year. College of Charleston’s John Jonas recorded one in yesterday’s second round on the 14th hole. The Salisbury, England, native finished tied for 12th at four-over par, 220. He turned in a final round score of even-par, 72.
“Ben Stow created a memory for a lifetime today on The Ocean Course when he made a hole-in-one,” Craig said. “I was by the green and saw it spin left right into the cup with perfect pace. It was a beautiful sight to behold.”
The rest of the team standings were filled out with College of Charleston (+36), Charleston Southern (+40), Florida (+42), Rice (+43), Western Carolina (+44), Notre Dame (+45), Francis Marion (+45), Michigan (+55) and Michigan State (+55).
Leading the charge for Kentucky over the three days was senior Cody Martin who brings back a fourth-place finish at five-under par (211). Martin recorded a final round score of one-over par, 73. His score of 211 is a season-best for the Union, Ky., native, while the fourth place finish is his best since he finished second at the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational in 2011. He also led the Wildcats with 12 birdies and an eagle for the tournament.
“What a great event for Cody Martin,” Craig explained. “He was in command of his game all week and played with courage on a big man’s golf course. That is a perfect way for him to finish off the fall season.”
Senior Stephen Powers finished just inside the top 20 tied for 17th place at seven-over par (223). The top 20 finish is his third through four tournaments so far this season. Powers turned in a final round of four-over par, 76. Finishing a stroke behind Powers was sophomore Harrison Greenberry at eight-over par, 224, placing him in a tie for 22nd. Greenberry tied his season-best 54-hole total, which he set at the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic. He scored a two-over par, 74 on the final day of play.
Junior David Snyder tied for 29th with a three-day total of 226 (+10). Snyder shot a two-over par, 74 during the final round. Freshman Stephen Stallings wrapped up his first collegiate tournament by tying for 33rd at 11-over par, 227. Stallings turned in a scorecard on his final 18 holes of six-over par, 78.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort has played host to the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA Championships and is only the fourth course to host each of the PGA of America’s major championships. Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere.
Fans can follow the action with live scoring available at Golfstat.com. For more information on the University of Kentucky men’s golf team visit UKathletics.com and follow on Twitter at @UKmensgolf. The Wildcats begin spring competition at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in Mobile, Ala., from Feb. 17-18.
The Ocean Course
Kiawah Island, S.C. Oct. 27-29
Par: 72 (36-36)
Yardage: 7,080
Final Results
T3. Kentucky: 288-293-295=876 (+12)
4. Cody Martin: 70-68-73=211 (-5)
T12. Ben Stow: 72-76-72=220 (+4)
T17. Stephen Powers: 74-73-76=223 (+7)
T29. David Snyder: 73-79-74=226 (+10)
T33. Stephen Stallings: 73-76-78=227 (+11)
T22. *Harrison Greenberry: 73-77-74=224 (+8)
