Campbell Kremer, Alex Goff Notch Top-Five Finishes, Wildcats Take Sixth in Spring Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior Campbell Kremer secured his best collegiate individual finish, Alex Goff registered a fifth-consecutive top ten and Kentucky men’s golf concluded the Battle at Briar’s Creek on Tuesday in sixth place as a team, finishing with a 36-hole total of 583 (+7) in the weather-shortened event.
After rainfall on Monday allowed only a few holes of opening day action, the tournament, hosted by the College of Charleston at The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek (par 72, 7175 yards), was shortened from 54 to 36 holes. Clemson hung on to win the team title at 575 (-1), finishing as the only team under-par in the challenging February conditions. Lipscomb’s Ford Goldasich took home the individual title with a four-under par total, two shots clear of UK’s Goff and Kremer.
The Wildcats surged with a strong final 18, carding a four-under team total in round two with Kremer, Goff and Jansen Preston all in red figures, while sophomore Andrew Clark carded an even-par round of 72. UK was one of just two teams to shoot an under-par total in round two, an effort which vaulted the Cats from a tie for 11th into solo sixth place.
“I’m so proud of our guys for battling back into this golf tournament,” head coach Gator Todd, who was coaching his first spring event with the Wildcats, said. “We played the last 27 holes as well as anybody in the field. Campbell had a career-best finish and Alex is continuing to play with a ton of consistency. We were rusty with our decision making this week and par 5 play ultimately cost us from contending. It was great to see all five guys in it today. I like this team and the direction we’re headed. Today should give us a lot of confidence going forward.”
Kremer, a native of Louisville, Ky., made a team-best nine birdies, tied for the third most of any player in the field, on his way to his first ever top-five result. His second round 70 was the best scored fired by a Kentucky player at the event, while his two rounds of par or better give him 26 for his collegiate career.
For Goff, this week’s tournament continues what has already been a strong fifth-year campaign. Dating back to the fall season, Goff now has five consecutive top-10 individual finishes, a stretch which includes four top-five showings. Ending the event at two-under, Goff now has finished under par in four-straight tournaments and grows his active sub-par streak to eight consecutive rounds in collegiate events.
Preston, a transfer from Vanderbilt playing in his first spring event with Kentucky, gave UK its fourth under par round of the tournament with his second round 71, a display which was kickstarted by three consecutive birdies on his first three holes, Nos. 6-8.
Both Clark and redshirt freshman Andrew Gee bounced back from difficult opening rounds with strong final 18s, shooting 72 and 73, respectively. Competing as an individual, graduate Cooper Parks placed 70th with rounds of 83-75, making five birdies across his final 18 holes.
The Cats will now look ahead to the Gator Invitational which will be held at Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida, Feb. 17-18.
Kentucky Results:
T4: Alex Goff (71-71-142)
T4: Campbell Kremer (72-70-142)
T27: Jansen Preston (77-71-148)
T-48: Oakley Gee (79-73-152)
T-60 Andrew Clark (83-72-155)
70: Cooper Parks (83-75-158)*
*Individual
Bold = Counting score
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