HENDERSON, Nevada – The Kentucky men’s golf team struggled on a cold and blustery day, finishing in a tie for ninth after a final-round 14-over-par 302 Wednesday at the Lake Las Vegas Intercollegiate at Reflection Bay Golf Club. Senior Alex Goff paced the Wildcats, carding four final-round birdies on his way to an even-par 72 and a tie for 15th for the tournament at 1-under-par.
Little Rock won the tournament at 20-under, followed by New Mexico State at 13-under, Long Beach State at 10-under, Arkansas State at 6-over and Kansas City at 7-over.
“We were poised to make a run today and obviously did not do that,” Kentucky head coach Brian Craig said. “If you look at the results, there is a huge discrepancy between today’s scores and what tee time you drew. That is not an excuse but the harsh reality of the adverse weather today. However, we have no one to blame but ourselves because we should have been in the last wave today. That was totally under our control and we did not do it. Now, it is time to get back to work and prepare for Schenkel. This team is due for a breakout performance and the Schenkel would be a good place to start.”
Wednesday’s round marked Goff’s team-high 11th round of par or better and the tournament was the team-best fifth top 20 finish of the season for the Kings Mountain, North Carolina native. Five of Goff’s last six rounds have been even- or under-par.
Graduate Dhaivat Pandya posted an 8-over 80 in the final round for a tie of 40th at 7-over for the tournament while junior Campbell Kremer finished a shot back for the event in a tie for 44th after a final-round 3-over 75.
Freshman Kevin Watts also carded an 8-over 80 Wednesday, tying for 55th at 12-over, while graduate Garrett Wood used a 3-over 75 in the final round to tie for 60th at 13-over.
Individually, senior Jackson LaLonde tied for 64th at 15-over after a 78 in the final round while freshman Andrew Clark finished 80th at 23-over. Senior Cooper Parks and junior Tanner Parks rounded out the Wildcat individuals in 90th and 94th place, respectively.
For the tournament, Kentucky tied for the most pars in the 15-team field with 163.
Kentucky is back in action when it travels to the Schenkel Invitational March 17-19 at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Georgia.
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