The Auburn golf team
(Auburn Athletics Photo)
VESTAVIA HILLS, AL (October 4, 2016) -- Third-ranked Auburn finished even-par and in front of 1-over UNLV by one-stroke to win the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate at Old Overton Club.
“This was a huge win for our program and in our home state,” head coach Nick Clinard told Auburn Athletics. “We really challenged the guys this week, and they responded with some good play. We still need to clean up a few things and be more mature on the course, but I love this team and the direction they are headed.”
The Tigers were led by senior Will Long who finished 2-under and tied for fifth. Long saved his best for last as he shot a 2-under 68 on Tuesday to follow up a pair of 70's from the 36-hole first day. On Tuesday Long birdied three holes, including two of the first three, while bogeying just one.
Auburn also received strong play from eighth place finisher, freshman Jovan Rebula (-1, 8th) and sophomore Ben Schlottman (E, T9). A year ago Schlottman became the first ever Auburn freshman to be named to the All-SEC first team.
John Oda, 7-under, of UNLV was the top individual finisher thanks to a tournament best 6-under 64 in the final round. Oda parred his first hole before recording the first of his eight birdies on No. 2 against just two bogeys. On the front side the junior more or less cruised along and turned in 1-under 34 before catching fire on the closing nine with a bogey-free 5-under 30 that included five birdies.
Charlotte's Conor Purcell was second at 6-under while Alabama's Lee Hodges was 3-under in third.
Besides Auburn and UNLV the top-five team standings included first round co-leader; No. 21 Baylor (+7) in third, UAB (+16) in fourth and four-time defending champion; No. 24 Alabama (+18) was fifth.
36-HOLE RECAP
With 36-holes in the books at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate No. 3 Auburn and No. 21 Baylor both sit at 2-under to share the lead. Third place UAB is six-strokes back in third at 4-over.
The Bears are being led at Old Overton Club by medalist leader Matthew Perrine. In the first round Perrine posted a 2-under 68 before firing a 3-under 67 in round two. The Auburn transfer holed out for an eagle two on the par-4 6th during his second round while also birdieing four holes and bogeying three. From Nos. 14-16 Perrine birdied three consecutive holes.
Baylor has also received top-15 play from sophomore Braden Bailey and freshman Cooper Dossey. Both players are tied for 14th at 1-over.
Auburn has been paced thus far by freshman Jovan Rebula. Tied for second after a pair of rounds, Rebula, is 4-under thanks to consecutive 2-under 68's. During the second round Rebula birdied five holes and bogeyed three. The highlight of the day for Rebula came in the first round when holed out for eagle on the par-4 6th.
Auburn senior Will Long (E) is tied for 12th while senior Matt Gilchrest (+1) and junior Ben Schlottman (+1) share 14th.
Behind Auburn, Baylor and UAB in the top-five are UNLV (+7) in fourth and Arkansas (+10) in fifth. Four-time defending champion Alabama (+14) is a distant eighth.
ABOUT THE
Jerry Pate Intercollegiate
54-hole men's college tournament
hosted
by the University of Alabama. Team (best four scores
out of five players each round) and individual
competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information