No. 3 Express Golf Takes A Step Back, But Berger Continues Fine Play

Luke Berger attempts a putt on the 18th hole today. The sophomore finished with the team's low score at +2, totaling a 74. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Luke Berger attempts a putt on the 18th hole today. The sophomore finished with the team's low score at +2, totaling a 74. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: May 23, 2013

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Scottsboro, AL---The No. 3 Express men's golf team struggled today, just one day after firing a program record 281, but remained in the top five of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II National Tournament.

The team shot a 307 in the tournament's third round and slipped two places to fifth place overall with one round remaining. Their three round total of 886 (+22) puts them three shots behind fourth place Black Hawk (IL) College and 13 shots behind third place John A. Logan (IL).

However, five teams remain within three shots of the Express rounding out the top 10.

Luke Berger had another solid round to lead the Express today. His two over 74 gives him a three-day total of 219 (+3), which puts him in a tie for 23rd place overall.

Brandon Hoelzer, who had shot 5-under total over the tournament's first two rounds, shot a 4-over 76 today. His three round total of 215 (-1) drops him into a tie for 13th place. Steve Souchek of John A. Logan leads the tournament with an 8-under 208.

Other third round scores for the Express included: Walter Dorosh (78), Blaze Hogan (79) and Darren Gessner (80). For the tournament, Hogan is at 225 (+9), Gessner is at 229 (+13) and Dorosh is at 232 (+16).

Notes

No. 1 South Mountain (AZ) Community College, the defending national champion, continued their outstanding play at remain in first place after shooting their second consecutive round of 281. They have four players in the top eight and are 18-under as a team through three rounds. Moreover, they are 23 shots ahead of second place Walters State (TN) Community College.

Friday Tee Times

The tournament concludes tomorrow with Dorosh leading off Express tee times. He will go in Group 30 at 11:21 a.m., and he will be followed by Gessner at 11:30 a.m. in Group 31, Hogan at 11:39 in Group 32, Berger at 11:48 in Group 33 and Hoelzer at 11:57 a.m. in Group 34.

Timothy Dawkins will also golf tomorrow. He will play in Group 7 and tee off at 7:54 a.m. Similar to Jason Glass on Wednesday, his round won't count in tournament scoring.

Chance For History

This is the third time the Express has competed in the NJCAA D-II National Tournament as a team. Of those two other appearances, their best finish is 10th place in 2007-08. This year's team has a chance to beat that tomorrow.

Individually, Hoelzer and Berger have a chance to complete the best finish at a national tournament in Express golf history. Currently, Joey Bussdieker holds the record of 15th place with a four-round total of 289.