March 15, 2010
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn men's golf team (293-592) topped the field in the 2010 Tiger Shootout Monday at the Auburn University Club. Auburn golfers claimed the top six spots in the field, led by sophomore Will McCurdy (70-144) who continued his strong run of form. The Fort Payne, Ala., native claimed his first collegiate medalist honors.
"It was a long, windy day today but our guys kept it together and hit some great shots," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "Will (McCurdy) has come a long way this season. This is my first year working with this team and it has been a lot of fun so far watching them improve and mature as the season progresses. We are hoping to see them continue to improve as we move into the later stages of the season.
"Playing at home was a treat for everyone today. We got to play all seven of our guys and build extra experience for the team. It also allowed some of the guys' families, who had never seen the AU Club, a chance to spend a day walking their son's home course. It was a good day."
Sophomore John Stembridge (72-148) placed third followed sophomore David Zickler (74-149) and redshirt sophomore Cory Gilmer (76-150) in fourth and fifth. Sophomores Jackson Beindorf (77-153) and Kyle Kopsick (80-157) placed sixth and ninth. As Zickler and Gilmer competed as individuals, their totals did not factor in to the overall team score.
Stiff winds and tough pin placements saw McCurdy's final round as the only round under par in the one-day, 36-hole tournament. McCurdy finished the opening 18 holes tied for second, trailing teammate Cole Moreland (74-147), but a strong second round earned him the three-stroke win.
The win marked the third-consecutive top-three finish for McCurdy while Moreland's runner-up result marks three straight top-10s for the Austin native.
"The course played about as hard as I've ever seen it," said McCurdy. "We had some really difficult pin placements, the wind was blowing and the ground was saturated from all the rain we got this weekend."
"It's great to get a win. It was a small tourney but it still feels good. In golf, nothing is ever given to you. We're playing better as a team every week. Since we came back from Christmas we have improved every day."
The Tigers completed round one with a commanding 22-stroke lead on second-place Louisiana-Monroe and increased the lead, to 37, before day's end.
Louisiana-Monroe (308-629) placed second followed by Bradley (335-674) in third.
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to Statesboro, Ga., as Georgia Southern hosts the 2010 Chris Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational March 19-21.