AU tied first, Alex van Wyk third, after Day One of Pinnacle Bank Intercollegiate

By Carlos Rodriguez | Sports editor

After playing the first two rounds, the Augusta University men’s golf team finished Day One tied for first at the Pinnacle Bank Intercollegiate in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The tournament is being hosted at Palmetto Hall Plantation by Francis Marion University. The field is playing the 6,918-yard, par-72 Arthur Hills course at Palmetto.

The Jaguars are tied with Charleston Southern at 1 over par with a score of 577. Both teams are leading the field by a total of 10 shots, as the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga sits behind them with an 11-over-par total.

“The guys played hard (on Day One) and fought hard the entire 36 holes,” said AU Coach Jack O’Keefe.

Junior Alex van Wyk leads AU as he’s currently in third, shooting 3-under, only 1 shot behind High Point’s Brandon Einstein and Kennesaw State’s Preston Topper, who are tied for first.

“He drove the ball well today in windy conditions and stayed patient,” said O’Keefe. “The plan (Day Two) for Alex will be to have as many good birdie opportunities as possible.”

Following shortly behind Alex is his brother, sophomore Ben van Wyk, and freshman Dawson Booth, who are both tied for fifth at 1 over. Graduate student Dan Sheehan follows closely as well, shooting 2 over while tied for 11th.

“A really good round by any of those three guys, and they could win as well,” said O’Keefe.

Freshman Brock Hoover, who is in 79th place, rounds up the five competing for Augusta. 

Round Three will start at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, for Alex van Wyk, followed by Ben van Wyk and Booth at 9:50 a.m., and Sheehan and Hoover at 10 a.m.

 “We need a total team effort tomorrow to give ourselves the best chance,” said O’Keefe. “I am excited to watch these guys compete and fight the entire final round.”

 Contact Carlos Rodriguez at CARRODRIGUEZ@augusta.edu.