By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Scottsboro, AL---Brandon Hoelzer and Luke Berger each fired a 3-under 69 to help propel the No. 3 Express men's golf team up five spots in the standings on the second day of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II National Tournament.
After their eighth place finish yesterday, the Express shot a 281 in the second round to move up the third place. South Mountain (AZ) Community College also shot a 281 and remains in first place with an 11-under 565 through two rounds.
The Express, who have shot a +3 579 through two rounds are just two shots behind second place Walters State (TN) Community College, who have a +1 577. They shot a 282 today.
The 281 for the Express and South Mountain, the defending national champion, marks a tie for the lowest round by any team through both rounds thus far.
Moreover, the 281 for the Express breaks the program's single round record of 284 that was previously set in 2006. That team, coincidentally, featured current Express men's golf head coach Josh Williams, who shot a 70 in that round of 284.
Meanwhile, Hoelzer has himself positioned well for a shot at an individual national championship through two rounds as he currently sits in second place with a 5-under 139 thus far. He shot a 2-under in the first round yesterday and is three shots behind Parkland College's David Keenan, who is at 8-under 136.
Berger, who shot a 76 in the first round, has a +1 145 through two rounds. He is tied for 22nd place overall.
Blaze Hogan nearly became the third Express player at 3-under today, but just barely missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole. Instead, he finished at 2-under. He is currently at a +2 146 through two rounds, just one shot behind Berger, and he is tied for 30th place.
Darren Gessner, who was 3-under through the first 11 holes today, finished at 1-over after a tough finish. The fifth Express golfer, Walter Dorosh, shot a +5 77 for the second consecutive day.
Gessner is currently +5 with a 149 through two rounds, while Dorosh is +10 with a 154 through two rounds.
Third Round Tee Times
The third round will take place on Thursday. Dorosh will tee off in Group 35 at 12:06 p.m., Gessner will follow in Group 36 at 12:15 p.m., Hogan will tee off at 12:24 p.m. in Group 37, Berger will tee off at 12:33 p.m. in Group 38 and Hoelzer will tee off at 12:42 p.m. in Group 39. All times are in the Central Time Zone.
Notes
Jason Glass played with the final group to tee off today. His score doesn't count individually or with the Express as a team, but he may have provided the highlight of the day with a double-eagle on the seventh hole. He finished with a two-over 74.
A lightning delay halted play from 3:44 CT to 4:45 CT during today's round.
The tournament is being held at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL. There are two more rounds to play before a national champion is crowned.