All Five Starters Shoot Par or Lower; Cats Move into Sixth

HARRIS, Mich. – The Kentucky men’s golf team’s mantra for the 2019-20 season is “Birdies for Brownie,” signifying racking up birdies for their fellow teammate Cullan Brown who was recently diagnosed with a form of bone cancer and is set to miss the season. On Monday, all five UK starters played par or better and combined for 21 birdies to help the Wildcats move into sixth place on the final day at the Island Resort Intercollegiate in Harris, Michigan. UK capped the weekend at 9-over par and 18 shots off the lead.
 
“It is great to finish on a positive note this week,” UK head coach Brian Craig said. “I am so proud of the guys for the last two rounds after a tough start. We also had very solid performances by two freshmen, Alex Goff and Cooper Parks, along with junior, Allen Hamilton. I like this team and think we are going to make huge improvements throughout the season.”
 
The Wildcats’ rebounding effort began during yesterday’s second round and carried over into the final 18 on Monday. Every UK starter ascended the individual leaderboard and three Cats earned their first career top-20 finishes in the process.
 
Freshman Alex Goff led the way and capped the tournament in a tie for 10th overall. Goff produced a 3-under par 69 on Monday which featured five total birdies. The Kings Mountain, North Carolina, native appeared in his first collegiate event and shined from start to finish. He generated two par-or-better rounds and was the lone Cat to finish the tournament at under par with a three-round total of 1-under par.
 
Junior Allen Hamilton earned the first top-20 finish of his career behind a 1-under 71 on Monday. He was 2-under par over the final nine holes of his round to earn a tie for 15th overall. His under-par scorecard matched a career-low round. The Louisville, Kentucky, native turned in a 218, 2-over par score which is the lowest tournament score of his career. Hamilton tied for fifth among the field, playing the par-4’s at one-under par.
 
Freshman Cooper Parks tied for 18th in his first collegiate tournament. Parks shot 76-71-72 with his final two rounds at 1-under and even par. The xxx, Kentucky, native fought off a tough start with an eagle at the par-five 12th. He then finished the day with four birdies over his final seven holes. Parks tied for third as he played the par-5’s at an impressive 7-under par.
 
Sophomore Zach Norris jumped 32 spots on the individual leaderboard with a final round of 70. He tied for 32nd overall but played even par over his final two rounds. Norris was particularly impressive on the par-3’s, playing at 2-under par which ranked third among the field.
 
Junior Jacob Cook moved up 12 spots on the board with an even-par 72 on Monday. He played the back nine at 1-under par with birdies at the second and eighth to offset one miscue. Cook finished the tournament tied for 38th. His combined 224 score matched a career-low tournament mark.
 
Liberty edged Purdue by one stroke to take win the tournament. Liberty was 9-under par for the week. East Carolina and Central Florida tied for third at 3-under. Michigan State shot 4-under to finish in fifth.
 
Four players also participated as individuals. Senior Matt Liston and junior Garrett Wood both tied for 32nd overall. Freshmen Jay Kirchdorfer and Jackson LaLonde finished the weekend in ties for 49th and 62nd, respectively.
 
Kentucky returns to action at the Bearcat Invitational beginning Sept. 30. The 54-hole tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, will play over two days at the Coldstream Country Club.
 
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on the web at UKathletics.com. 
 
AGATE
Kentucky – 6th (302, 289, 282 – 873, +9)
Alex Goff – T10th (74, 72, 69 – 215, -1)
Allen Hamilton – T15th (75, 72, 71 – 218, +2)
Cooper Parks – T18th (76, 71, 72 – 219, +3)
Zach Norris – T32nd (79, 74, 70 – 223, +7)
Jacob Cook – T38th (77, 75, 72 – 224, +8)
 
Individuals
Matt Liston – T32nd (71, 71, 81 – 223, +7)
Garrett Wood – T32nd (75, 70, 78 – 223, +7)
Jay Kirchdorfer – T49th (76, 74, 78 – 228, +12)
Jackson LaLonde – 62nd (76, 77, 80 – 233, +17)