TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) – Friday’s first round of the Seminole Intercollegiate was a good one for Florida State Men’s Golf. The Seminoles shot a 14-under 274 at Southwood Golf Club to sit one shot out of first place.
Seven of the eight competing Seminoles shot under par on one of their home courses, consistently putting together quality scores. FSU trails tournament leader Penn State (-15) by one stroke, while Georgia Tech (-12) sits in third place and West Virginia (-11) in fourth.
FSU’s 14-under 274 total was its best single round of the 2016-17 year. Redshirt junior Harry Ellis continues his great ascension with a 5-under 67, now his seventh round in the 60s this year. The England native collected seven birdies and shot a 33 on the back nine. Another strong showing for Ellis boosts his chances for competing at the Arnold Palmer Cup on the European side.
Ellis’ seven birdies is tied for the most among individuals with VCU’s Alister Balcombe and Georgia Tech’s Luke Schniederjans. The leaders among the field include Schniederjans (66) and Penn State’s Cole Miller (66).
Sophomore Bennett Baker emerged with a strong round on Friday, shooting a 4-under 68 to tie for eighth among the field. The Tallahassee and Chiles High School native recorded four of his six birdies on the front nine, where he shot a 33.
Sophomore Corey Carlson and senior Josh Lee each shot 3-under 69s. Redshirt freshman Jonathan Keppler produced a 2-under 70, while freshman Jake Carter started Florida State off on the right foot with a 70 of his own.
Freshman Jamie Li was steady with a 1-under 71, while freshman Greyson Porter shot a 2-over 74.
The Seminoles lead the field with 27 birdies through the first round, and also dominated the course’s 10 par-4 holes. FSU combined to shoot 10-under on par 4s and 9-under on par 5s.
Carlson is first off the tee for FSU on Saturday, shooting off No. 10 at 8:41 a.m. Porter and Li will go off the first tee at 8:52 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., respectively.
For the counting scores, Carter goes off the first hole at 10:20 a.m., followed by Keppler (10:31 a.m.), Lee (10:42 a.m.), Baker (10:53 a.m.) and Ellis (11:04 a.m.).
Live scoring will be available all weekend on Golfstat.com.
Follow the FSU Men’s Golf Team on its official Twitter handle (@FSUGolf) as well as on the team’s official Facebook page (Facebook.com/FSUMensGolf).
