It was survival mode in today’s opening round of the East Bay Deli Classic. Sustained winds more than 30 miles per hour made golf difficult for the 15-team field on Turtle Point at the Kiawah Island Resort.
The Chattanooga Mocs persevered with a 21-over par 309. That puts them in third place behind No. 26 Tennessee (298) and Rutgers (304). High Point (311) and Jacksonville State (312) are in fourth and fifth, respectively.
It was a new face that led the way.
Making his first start of 2017-18, aptly-named senior Andrew Weathers weathered his 18 holes to the tune of 1-over 73. He’s tied for third, one shot off the lead held by Rutgers’ Adam Gray and Charleston Southern’s Art Griffin.
Etienne Brault added 76 with Lake Johnson shooting 79. Phillip Hickam rounds out the counting cards with 81 as the Mocs dropped an 82 from Luke Long and 88 by Connor Nolan.
Three individuals made the trip as well. A.J. Lintunen and Oliver Simonsen also carded 82s with Will Porter just two behind them with an 84.
The average tally for the round was 81.76. Ninety-three student-athletes look hopefully toward calmer conditions tomorrow.
LINEUP
T3) Andrew Weathers – 73 (+1)
T14) Etienne Brault – 76 (+4)
T29) Lake Johnson – 79 (+7)
T39) Phillip Hickam – 81 (+9)
T47) Luke Long – 82 (+10)
T47) Oliver Simonsen (Ind.) – 82 (+10)
T47) A.J. Lintunen (Ind.) – 82 (+10)
T62) Will Porter (Ind.) – 84 (+12)
T78) Connor Nolan – 88 (+16)
Complete results linked above.
3 NOTES TO KNOW
- 309 is the second-highest 18-hole team score this season.
- It’s Weathers first start, but second appearance this season. Tied for sixth at the Bojangles Tennessee Intercollegiate shooting 1-over 145. Three-round scoring average is 72.67.
- Simonsen leads the field with a 2-under par total on the par 3s, while Brault is tied for the best tally on the par 4s at 1 over.
DATES/TEE TIMES (EDT) – ADMISSION IS FREE
Monday – TBA (No. 1 tee, determined by first round result)
Tuesday – 9 a.m. (Shotgun start)