Deogun leads Men's Golf in Opening Round of GolfWeek Program Challenge

Sunday, September 6

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mercer University

Golfweek Program Challenge

Deogun leads Men's Golf in Opening Round of GolfWeek Program Challenge

9/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's golf team wrapped up the opening round of the Golfweek Program Challenge in 11th place, after carding a one-over-par score of 289.

MERCER LINEUP RESULTS
1. Sean Smothers | 75 (+3) | T-61st
2. Jerry Ren | 69 (-3) | T-9th
3. Jeffrey Heinicka, Jr. | 78 (+6) | T-82nd
4. Timmy Hanzelko | 77 (+5) | T-75th
5. Dylan Deogun | 68 (-4) | T-5th

MERCER SPOTLIGHT
Freshman Dylan Deogun made a splash in his collegiate debut, firing a 4-under 68 en route to fifth place after the first round of play. Deogun had a clean card with four birdies and no bogies and will enter the second round of action just three strokes out of the lead.

HOLE OF THE DAY
Sophomore Jerry Ren carded the first eagle of the season for Mercer, thanks to a pair of impressive shots on the 540-yard par-5 fourth hole. Ren opened the hole with a strong drive on the dog-leg left setup, before his iron shot landed three feet from the hole for an easy eagle putt.

THE BEARS IN THE TEAM STANDINGS
Mercer got a pair of top-10 efforts, but were plagued by a few errors to finish 11th in the team standings after the first round. Jacksonville pulled away from the crowd to lead with a 16-under 272, while James Madison (280) and Marshall (282) rounded out the top three.

COACH KAYDEN'S TAKE
"We had a pretty solid round, but we had a few too many golf management errors which led to a few big numbers. However, we really showed what we are capable of and set a good foundation to move up spots this weekend."

MERCER NOTABLES

Ren joined Deogun with a strong round, using a two-under 33 on the back to nine to card a 69 on his way to a ninth place finish on Sunday behind the strength of four birdies and one eagle.