Clayton State slips to third overall at midway point of NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships
Lakers’ Wilcox tied for third overall at 2-under par 138, one stroke off the lead

 

HOUSTON, Texas – May 15, 2008 – After jumping out to the lead in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championships, the Clayton State Lakers slipped to third place at the midway point on Thursday at Memorial Park Golf Club.

The 20^th-ranked Lakers shot a plus-13 293 in Thursday’s second round, and now stand third overall with two rounds remaining. Clayton State trails Indianapolis by two strokes and overall leader Georgia College by seven strokes. The Bobcats took over the lead by shooting a sizzlin’ 8-under par 272 to stand 1-under 599 at the turn.

Clayton State leads top-ranked West Florida, Colorado-Colorado Springs and Grand Canyon each by one stroke, St. Edward’s by two strokes and Nova Southeastern, North Alabama, Grand Valley State and Western Washington each by four strokes.

“We had a rough round, and really missed a good opportunity today,” said Clayton State head coach Barry Harwell. “However, there is still two rounds remaining, and we have nothing to lose.”

After recording 17 birdies in the first round, Clayton State managed only seven in the second round, compared to a whopping 18 bogeys and four double-bogeys. The round started strong for the Lakers with three birdies on their first five holes, but that would be all the positive scoring on the front nine holes. Clayton State dropped out of the lead with seven bogeys and four double-bogeys on the front nine.

However, the Lakers salvaged the round with four birdies on the back nine to stay within striking distance of the top. Will Wilcox recorded two of those birdies on holes 14 and 16. The other two birdies on the back nine came from Wade Binfield and Neil McBride both on 16.

“The conditions weren’t great and we even had a few lightning delays,” Harwell said. “The middle third of the round was tough, especially on the fourth hole (8-over total). But we seemed to play better after the delays on the last four or five holes, and finished strong coming in.”

Individually, Wilcox stayed in prime contention for the individual national title, currently tied for third at 2-under 138 after shooting a 2-over 72 for the second round. He trails co-leaders Jude Eustaqio from Florida Southern and West Florida’s Kyle Scott.

In addition to Wilcox, McBride and freshman Kevin Duncan are both tied for 28^th at 2-over 142. Duncan shot a 2-over 72 for the second round, while McBride shot a 4-over 74 on Thursday. Junior Jonathan Visconti is tied for 44^th at 4-over 144 (69-75), while Binfield is tied for 101^st with a 155 (78-77).

The third round of the 2008 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championships is set for Friday at Memorial Park Golf Club. Clayton State will tee off at approximately 2:05 p.m. EDT.