The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate
Men's Golf Team Finished Eighth At Jerry Pate Intercollegiate
10/10/2006 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 10, 2006
BIMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's golf team closed play at the 2006 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, finishing in eighth overall in the 12-team field with an 841 (272-279-290). The Blazers entered the day in third overall in the prestigious event, but slipped five spots with six-over par 290 during the tournament's final 18 holes on Tuesday.
Junior Brad Smith led the Blazers and was one of two UAB golfers to finish play among the top-15 golfers in the event. Smith carded a career-low 67 during the tournament's second round, and finished with a personal-best seven-under par 206 to finish tied for 10th overall.
Sophomore Zack Sucher also competed well throughout the 72-hole event, finishing tied for 12th with a six-under 206. Sucher shot a career-low mark with a 67 in the opening round Monday morning, and matched that mark in the second round on Monday afternoon. He finished with a two-over 73 to conclude tournament play with a career-low 54-hole score.
"We struggled out there today," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "I thought Brad played well throughout the tournament and showed what he is capable of doing. Zack also competed well and I am proud of the way he played. As a team, we need to learn to play well throughout the entire tournament instead of having just one or two good rounds. I think we showed some signs of improvement and hopefully that will continue next weekend."
Senior Garrett Osborn, who entered the tournament as UAB's leader in scoring average, finished tied for 27th with a one-under 212, making him the third Blazer to conclude tournament play under par. Osborn carded rounds of 68 and 72 on Monday, followed by another 72 on Tuesday afternoon.
Junior Kyle Sapp closed play with a 217 (69-73-75), while redshirt freshman Cathal O'Malley rounded out the Blazers with a 223 (75-74-74).
The No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide golf team claimed its third straight tournament championship, recording a 33-under-par 819 (270-272-277) on the par 71 course at Old Overton Club. Texas Tech closed play in second (826), followed by Texas (828), Brigham Young (830) and Georgia State (833) to round out the top five.
The Blazers will next be in action on Oct. 14-15 at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate.
