GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Schreiner University
men's golf team overcame some early mistakes, settled down after a
weather delay, and shrugged off a couple of rough holes before a
second rain stoppage ended play on Thursday with most of the field
still on the course.
The Mountaineers, who have held the lead at the end of each day so
far, maintain a two-stroke lead over two-time NCAA champion
Oglethorpe University with less than 27 holes remaining. The rest
of the third round will be completed at 7:30 a.m. ET and then the
players will start the final round immediately after.
Slow starts by junior Zach Oliver and freshman Mat McClung were
offset by a birdie-birdie start by junior Jimmy Keener early
on. After a handful of holes, the first round of weather hit
the course and players were sent home for over three hours. After
the delay, Schreiner built its lead back up, but a triple bogey by
sophomore Phil Stewart and a second double-bogey by Oliver
tightened the field back up.
The Mountaineers are currently +10 on the day and +12 overall
while the Stormy Petrels are two shots back at +14. Defending
national champion UT-Tyler is in third place at +20 while St. John
Fisher has moved up to fourth at +22. Transylvania slipped a spot
and is currently fifth position at +23.
As for most teams, Southwestern University was also fighting a
tough day, shooting +14 throughout the long day to sit in a tie for
10th with Berry College at +33.
Junior Jordan Cowart (-5) sits in second place after shooting one
under, just one shot behind Redlands' Bobby Holden who holds the
lead at -6. Both Holden and Cowart were through 13 holes when play
was suspended. Junior Cheyne Kendall of Schreiner sits in third
place at -3 while Keener sits in sixth place at -1 overall,
one behind Concordia (TX) Jack Cersosimo and Endicott's Austin
Teal.
Team and individual national champions will be crowned at the
completion of Friday's fourth round at the Grandover Resort in
Greensboro, N.C. No rain is in the forecast for the Final
Round.