University Of Kentucky Men’s and Women’s Golf: 2013 SEC Tournament
Sep 21, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; The ball of Jim Furyk (USA) (not pictured) hangs on the cup on the 16th hole during the second round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
I have posted articles before about UK’s lesser thought of sports and I thought I would do it again. Tonight, I am bringing you cats fans a little update on the Men’s and Women’s golf teams and how the fared in SEC Tournament play.
University of Kentucky Men’s Golf Team
The Kentucky men’s golf team wrapped up their final round of the 2013 Southeastern Conference Championships on April 21st, shooting 17-over-par, 297 and finished the tournament in 13th place. The Wildcats finished the Tournament at 50-over-par, with the winner Alabama taking home the trophy for the second consecutive year at 8-over.
“We fought until the last putt dropped but the start of the second round was just too much for us to overcome,” head coach Brian Craig said. “This is the best golf conference in the land and we have plenty of areas to improve upon before NCAA Regional’s to get better. The good news is this team has a great chance to advance to the finals but we need to get to work.”
Senior Chase Parker was 5-over on the day, while tallying a team-high 14 pars. He was 17-over-par for the tournament, tying for 54th place.
Junior Ben Stow played well all weekend for the Cats, turning in his third consecutive low score round for UK. Stow was 3-over-par on Sunday, including three birdies and finished the tournament at 5-over-par. He was the highest finisher among Wildcats in the field, tying for 12th overall.
Junior Stephen Powers finished the tournament at 14-over-par after a 4-over-par, 74 on Sunday. He had two birdies on the afternoon and finished tied for 47th in the event.
Junior Cody Martin was 5-over on the day tying for 65th at 20-over.
Sophomore Will Bishop shot 6-over-par on Sunday, tied for 59th overall at 18-over.
The Wildcats will now wait and learn its postseason fate, which will be announced during the Division I Men’s Golf Selection Show on Monday, May 6.
University of Kentucky Women’s Golf Team
On April 21st, The University of Kentucky women’s golf team shot 20-over-par for the second straight day, tying for fifth at the 2013 Southeastern Conference Championships. This is programs best finish in 20 years. UK finished 58-over for the tournament with Alabama taking the league title with a final score of 35-over (Alabama’s men also won first place).
Senior Ashleigh Albrecht tied for 37th at 19-over-par for the Tournament. She was 6-over on Sunday, tallying birdies on holes No. 8 and 18.
Senior Betsie Johnson competed in her final SEC Championship, placing 59th overall at 26-over-par.
Junior Liz Breed, recorded a career-high finish, tying for 6th overall at 11-over-par. She went into the day tied for fifth before falling just one slot after a 6-over-par, 78 final round.
Freshman Sarah Harris was the highlight of the tournament for the Wildcats, finishing a career-best second place at 9-over-par for the event. Harris, who was tied for the individual lead after day one, was tied for fifth coming into Sunday before a 4-over-par, 76 final round, shot her into second overall. Her second place individual finish was also the highest this season for Kentucky.
Harris and Breed helped lead the Wildcats to one of their best finishes in school history in a field that featured 11 of its 14 teams in the top-50, including the Wildcats who are 34th.
Freshman Cylia Damerau equaled Harris for the low round among Wildcats, firing a 4-over-par, 76 on the afternoon. She had a team-high five birdies on Sunday and finished tied for 43rd for the championships at 20-over par.
The UK women will wait to learn where they will be heading for the NCAA Regionals during the Division I NCAA Women’s Golf Selection Show on Monday, April 29.