Mercer University
Tar Heel Intercollegiate
Men's Golf Tied for Sixth After Opening Round of Tar Heel Intercollegiate
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Mercer University men's golf team wrapped up Friday's opening round of the Tar Heel Intercollegiate in a tie for sixth place. Sophomore Emmanuel Kountakis paced the Bears with 2-under 70, finishing the first day of action tied for ninth overall.
"I'm very happy with our start to the tournament," Mercer head coach Kirk Kayden said. "We are getting the opportunity to match up against some of the top teams in the Southern Conference and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow."
Mercer's day one total of 287 (-1) left the team just one stroke out of third place. The host Tar Heels led everyone at the end of the opening day of play, firing a 273 to take a commanding nine-stroke lead over second-place Charlotte.
Kountakis carded four birdies and just a pair of bogeys to remain within four strokes of the lead. Trey Rule also registered a sub-par score for the Bears, using a 33 on the front nine en route to an 18-hole total of 71.
"Emmanuel had a great day to lead us with a 70," said Kayden. "He got off to a good start and finished with a nice birdie on 18. Trey Rule also had some really good holes to shoot a 1-under 71."
Freshman Jerry Ren had a strong outing in his collegiate debut, booking birdies on his final two holes to end the day with an even-par score of 72.
"I'm really proud of Jerry Ren," said Kayden. "He did a great job in his first collegiate round, making some birdies down the stretch to finish even for the day."
Jeffrey Heinicka, Jr. rounded out the scoring for Mercer with a total of 73, while Sean Smothers finished with a 77. Evan Usry, who competed as an individual, used a 37 on the first nine holes to card a 79.
The second round of action at the UNC Finley Course begins Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
Click here for live scoring of this weekend's event.
Players Mentioned
