William Penn Jumps Past Cut Line With Better Second Day
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Silvis, Ill.–The Statesmen men’s golf team, led by its top two linksters finishing at or under par, maintained a solid spot in the standings at the halfway point of the NAIA National Championships Wednesday.
The Statesmen improved two shots from its first round with a 297 (596 total) to move into sole possession for 17th out of 29 teams at the par-71 TPC Deere Run Golf Course. Coastal Georgia is the new team leader at three-under 565 (280-285), while Dalton State (Ga.) is one stroke back at 566.
WPU broke its tie with Northwestern and also jumped past St. Ambrose and Jamestown (N.D.), while on the flip side, Rocky Mountain (Mont.) leapfrogged the navy and gold. The team owns a six-stroke lead over Jamestown for the last spot into Friday’s final round, which includes just the top 17 programs. William Penn is only six strokes out of 13th place and 13 strokes from being in the top 10.
The crew’s improvement on Wednesday was a bit of a rarity as only seven teams ahead of William Penn went lower in their second 18 holes. WPU’s 297 was the 14th-lowest score of the day.
In what could be good for its prospects of staying in the top 17, the Statesmen are set up with two higher teams in Thursday’s new grouping. WPU, Victoria (B.C.), which is tied for 14th at 591, and Johnson & Wales (Fla.), which is 16th at 593, start on Hole #1 with their first tee time at 9:10 a.m. (Central).
S.M. Lee of Dalton State is the new individual leader in the 155-player field, adding a three-under 68 to Tuesday’s 69 to be ahead by two strokes at five-under 137.
Frederik Lundsgaard (Sr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) made a big move (now tied for 35th) by recording the first sub-par round in William Penn nationals history. One of three seniors who are playing the final rounds of their careers, Lundsgaard carded a one-under 70 and is now at 145 (75-70).
He struck the ball well on the front side (WPU started on Hole #1 on Wednesday), but did not manage his first birdie under the 10th hole. The senior continued to play consistently (just two bogeys) and then closed emphatically with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to get into red for the day.
Zachary Chegwidden (So., Essex, England, Business Management) responded from a disappointing opening round with four birdies (Holes 2, 11, 12, and 17) to shoot an equally-impressive even-par 71. He suffered just three negative holes (double bogey on the 15th) and is now tied for 42nd at 146 (75-71).
William Penn’s Day 1 leader, Sebastian Rulis (Sr., Helsingor, Denmark, Business Management) appeared on his way to another stellar outing with a birdie on the opening hole. Unfortunately, he went cold and was +4 at the turn. He corrected the ship, though, with birdies on Holes 14 and 16, but was saddled with a double bogey late in the round on the 17th. The senior has a two-day tally of 149 (73-76) and is tied for 69th.
Zach Swink (Sr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) had a team-high six birdies Tuesday, and was poised for even more fun with another right out of the gate on the first hole. The senior unfortunately ran into trouble with the short stick and eventually posted an 80. He currently sits in a tie for 111th at 156 (76-80).
Oscar Florez Martinez (Fr., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) had a promising start as well by parring his first three holes, but a triple bogey on the next hole derailed things momentarily. He finally got going again on the back side, highlighted by his first birdie of the tournament (Hole #16) to post an 81. Overall, the freshman is at 166 (85-81) to tie for 149th.
“Freddie and Chegs played really well today to help us maintain our position,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said. “Hopefully, we can get good rounds from everyone tomorrow to help us move up even more tomorrow.”
“I would also like to say thanks for all of the support from friends and family this week,” Tucker added. “It has really meant a lot to our players.”
