University of Richmond Athletics
Ekert, Carlin Surge into Top Five at A-10 Championship
04/29/2023 | Men's Golf
ORLANDO, Fla. — Led by a pair of underclassmen, the Richmond Spiders Men's Golf team fired a 2-under 286 in the second round of the A-10 Championship Saturday, jumping into fifth place on the team leaderboard at 7-over par (583). Sophomore Cole Ekert led the Spiders with a 4-under 68, one shot in front of freshman Drew Carlin, who carded a 3-under 69.
Ekert, who tied for 23rd in last year's A-10 Championship, will enter Sunday's final round in a tie for second place at 4-under par (140).
"I think my game is considerably better all around," said Ekert of the difference between the 2022 and 2023 conference championships. "Putting is better; approach shots are better … The nice thing is we played in wind all spring, so today it got gusty on the back nine but it didn't really feel like much."
After opening his round with a par on the 10th hole, Ekert recorded four straight birdies to briefly grab the solo lead. He made the turn in 4-under par and sprinkled a pair of birdies and a pair of bogeys to play the front nine in even par.
"I drove it really well both days so far, which has been a big key," said Ekert. "My approach game yesterday was really poor. I figured that out a bit and kept the putter hot. Everything just clicked. I feel like my bogeys only came from misjudging the wind or mis-clubbing. I feel like my game's good. I've just got to trust it."
Ekert's 12 birdies through 36 holes are two more than any other player in the field. He will be seeking a fourth straight top-six finish Sunday.
Carlin is tied for fifth at 3-under par (141) following his lowest round of the season. His 69 (-3) Saturday was his first round under par since shooting under par in all three rounds in his season debut at Yale's MacDonald Cup in September. Despite playing in his first conference championship, Carlin is the only Spider without a double bogey or worse through two rounds.
"The more the round goes on, the more comfortable I feel," said Carlin of dealing with any first-time nerves. "Coach [Decker] definitely helped me just talking things through."
Garrett Clark shot a 1-over 73 in Round 2, a seven-stroke improvement from Friday. He is tied for 36th at 9-over par (153), one shot in front of teammates Michael Childress and Ben Cooper, who are tied for 39th at 10-over par (154).
With only Sunday's final round remaining, Richmond is three strokes behind fourth-place George Washington (+4) and four strokes behind third-place VCU (+3). UR is 11 shots clear of Dayton and George Mason, who are tied for sixth at 18-over par.
The Spiders will tee off in Round 3 beginning at 7:30 a.m. from Hole 1 on the Nicklaus Course at Reunion Resort. Richmond will be paired with Dayton and George Washington.
Ekert, who tied for 23rd in last year's A-10 Championship, will enter Sunday's final round in a tie for second place at 4-under par (140).
"I think my game is considerably better all around," said Ekert of the difference between the 2022 and 2023 conference championships. "Putting is better; approach shots are better … The nice thing is we played in wind all spring, so today it got gusty on the back nine but it didn't really feel like much."
After opening his round with a par on the 10th hole, Ekert recorded four straight birdies to briefly grab the solo lead. He made the turn in 4-under par and sprinkled a pair of birdies and a pair of bogeys to play the front nine in even par.
"I drove it really well both days so far, which has been a big key," said Ekert. "My approach game yesterday was really poor. I figured that out a bit and kept the putter hot. Everything just clicked. I feel like my bogeys only came from misjudging the wind or mis-clubbing. I feel like my game's good. I've just got to trust it."
Ekert's 12 birdies through 36 holes are two more than any other player in the field. He will be seeking a fourth straight top-six finish Sunday.
Carlin is tied for fifth at 3-under par (141) following his lowest round of the season. His 69 (-3) Saturday was his first round under par since shooting under par in all three rounds in his season debut at Yale's MacDonald Cup in September. Despite playing in his first conference championship, Carlin is the only Spider without a double bogey or worse through two rounds.
"The more the round goes on, the more comfortable I feel," said Carlin of dealing with any first-time nerves. "Coach [Decker] definitely helped me just talking things through."
Garrett Clark shot a 1-over 73 in Round 2, a seven-stroke improvement from Friday. He is tied for 36th at 9-over par (153), one shot in front of teammates Michael Childress and Ben Cooper, who are tied for 39th at 10-over par (154).
With only Sunday's final round remaining, Richmond is three strokes behind fourth-place George Washington (+4) and four strokes behind third-place VCU (+3). UR is 11 shots clear of Dayton and George Mason, who are tied for sixth at 18-over par.
The Spiders will tee off in Round 3 beginning at 7:30 a.m. from Hole 1 on the Nicklaus Course at Reunion Resort. Richmond will be paired with Dayton and George Washington.
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