Oct. 4, 2011
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. -The top-ranked Auburn men's golf team (287-864) placed fourth at the 2011 Jerry Pate National, carding a 7-over final round at the par-70 Old Overton Golf Club in Vestavia Hills, Ala.
The result was the Tigers' 12 consecutive regular season top-four finish.
"We played poorly and we have many areas to improve on, which include our patience and mental toughness," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "We will get back after it in a few days, and I am excited to work hard with the guys the next two weeks."
Senior Will McCurdy (71-213) earned his, team-high, second top-10 finish of the season, placing 10th at 3-over par. The Fort Payne, Ala., native was counted all three of his rounds, 70, 72 and 71.
McCurdy had two strong birdie opportunities down the stretch but was unable to break even par for the day. A 50-foot birdie attempt on No. 17 skirted the cup while his first putt on 18 stopped one rotation short of sinking for a birdie three.
McCurdy matched the Tiger's lowest 54-hole total of the season, tying his and junior Dominic Bozzelli's 213 at Auburn's season opening win at the Carpet Capital Collegiate. The 2011 Palmetto Am winner also led the Tigers with nine birdies at Old Overton.
McCurdy now leads the 2011-12 Tigers with a 71.78 scoring average.
Junior Blayne Barber (70-218), who also turned in nine birdies for the Tigers, fought back from a double bogey on the par-3, 13th to finish the day at even par. The 2011 Walker Cup selection carded a team-best two rounds at par to tie for 19th, his ninth-consecutive collegiate top-20 and 12th for the Tigers.
Junior Michael Hebert (72-220) tied for 24th followed by freshman Michael Johnson (74-223) and sophomore Niclas Carlsson (78-225).
Auburn got off to a shaky start, forced to card opening rounds of 5- and 7-over before finding their footing. Monday's afternoon round saw 4-of-5 Tigers shoot 72 or better and move past UAB for sixth place.
As Tuesday's second round wore on, the Tigers were able to surpass Middle Tennessee State (297-878) and UNLV (293-869) and slide into fourth. No one, however, was going to catch No. 7 Texas (287-836) who led wire-to-wire to win the Pate by 20 strokes. No. 12 Clemson (292-856) tied for second led by individual medalist Corbin Mills (67-201) at 9-under par.
Tournament host and third-ranked Alabama (291-856) tied for second followed by Auburn, UAB (292-867), UNLV, Arizona (295-874), MIssissippi State (291-876), Middle Tennessee State, SMU (296-882), Samford (302-894) and Louisville (313-914).
Complete results are available via www.Golfstat.com. The Tigers return to action October 23-25 at the U.S. Collegiate in Atlanta, Ga.