Utley Is Leader; Men's Golf In Third Entering Final Round Of A-10 Championship
05/06/2006 | Men's Golf
May 6, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. - Richmond sophomore Jordan Utley fired a 4-under-par 68 for the second-straight day to lead after two rounds and the Spiders moved up to third place in the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship being played at Orange County National Golf Club.
Utley is at 8-under-par 136, holding a one-stroke lead over St. Bonaventure's Josh Anderson entering Sunday's final round. Richmond freshman Tim Courtney also shot a 4-under 68 Saturday on the par-72, 6,837-yard Panther Lake Course.
Richmond shot 4-under 284 as a team for the second straight day and sits at 8-under-par 568, one stroke behind second-place Xavier and seven strokes behind the new leader, Charlotte.
"We played pretty well for the second-straight day," Richmond head coach Adam Decker said. "That was a good solid second round in tougher scoring conditions today. The guys played really well and we're just looking to finish strong tomorrow."
The Musketeers shot an 11-under-par 277 on Friday, but carded a 2-over 290 on Saturday. Charlotte shot a 9-under 279 on Saturday, the only round better than Richmond's, to take the lead at 15-under par. Rhode Island dropped to fourth at 6-under 570 after shooting an even-par 288 on Saturday.
Along with the leader in the clubhouse, Utley, Richmond has three golfers in the top 15 places. Courtney's 4-under 68 Saturday moved him up to a tie for ninth place at 2-under-par 142.
"That was a gutsy round out of Tim Courtney today," Decker said. "He's been under the weather and to shoot 4-under par when you're not feeling your best is pretty impressive for a freshman."
Junior John Pelet is tied for 15th at even-par 144 (68-76). Sophomore Chris Bagley shot a 1-over 73 Saturday and is at 3-over 147, which has him tied for 29th, just three strokes out of the top 15. Senior Tyler Randol shot a 3-over 75 on Saturday and is in 36th place at 5-over 149.
Utley will be looking for Richmond's first individual title when the third and final round of the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship begins Sunday at 8 a.m. Richmond has had five all-conference selections in its previous four A-10 Championships, but has not had a golfer finish higher than third.
"Jordan is playing great golf," Decker said. "His game is very sound all around and we expect him to continue that Sunday."
Utley has the a one-stroke lead on Anderson (69-68=137), while Xavier's Jason Kokrak is in third at 6-under-par 138, Charlotte's Ray Sheedy is in fourth at 5-under 139 and Xavier junior John Streibich is fifth at 140.
Along with going for its first Atlantic 10 title, Richmond is looking for its first NCAA Regional appearance since 2001. The Spiders entered this tournament ranked third in Golfstat's Mid-Atlantic Region, with four teams earning NCAA bids. George Washington is ranked second, but the Spiders have an 11-shot lead over the sixth-place Colonials heading into to play Sunday. By finishing ahead of George Washington, the Spiders would put themselves in good position for an at-large bid for the NCAA Regionals.
The Atlantic 10 is looking to get five teams in the NCAA Regionals, which would be the most in the conference's history. Along with Richmond and George Washington, the other teams in contention for an at-large bid are Charlotte, Xavier and Rhode Island. The winner of the A-10 Championship earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.