Sept. 8, 2017
ROCKY FACE, Ga. - The No. 13 Auburn men's golf team fired a season-opening 1-over 289 and is in fourth after the first round of the 15-team Carpet Capital Collegiate at The Farm Golf Club on Friday. Seven teams are ranked in the top 19 in the nation.
No. 10 Florida leads at 7-under 281 followed by Tennessee (282), No. 18 Georgia Tech (287), No. 13 Auburn (289), No. 7 LSU (292), South Carolina (292), Dalton State (293), No. 19 Alabama (294), North Florida (294) and No. 17 Clemson (295).
Junior Trace Crowe, an All-SEC second-team selection last year, continues to lead the Tigers with a 3-under 69, good for a tie for fourth. The Bluffton, S.C., native carded six birdies on Nos. 1, 4 and 9 before closing with three-straight.
Sophomore Jovan Rebula and freshman Wells Padgett are tied for 14th at even par 72. Rebula doubled the par-4 third before notching birdies on Nos. 7, 9, 12 and 17. Padgett doubled the par-5 second before rattling off birdies on Nos. 5, 12, 13 and 18.
Junior Jacob Solomon is tied for 53rd with a 76 while freshman Andrew Kozan, who is playing as an individual, is tied for 59th with a 77. Freshman Brandon Manchero is 66th with a 78.
"We played a quality opening round with a bunch of wide-eyed freshmen," said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard. "We have loads of talent, but need to continue to learn how to manage and play the game.
"This course makes you think due to the pins and speed of greens around 12-13 on the stimpmeter."
California is in 11th at 296 ahead of Kennesaw State (298), No. 15 Virginia (303), Troy (308) and Chattanooga (314).
Second round play continues on Saturday with the final round Sunday. Live-scoring for the tournament can be found on www.golfstat.com