June 10, 2008

LAKE CHARLES, La. - Louisiana Tech freshman Clinton Shepard shot a four-round total of four-over-par 292 to finish tied for ninth at the 89th edition of the Louisiana Golf Association Amateur Championship at Gray Plantation this past weekend.

Shepard was one of eight Bulldogs competing in the event which totaled more than 140 competitors from across the state of Louisiana.

Six of the eight Bulldogs were among the 70 golfers who survived the cut after the second round of action.

In addition to Shepard's finish, other Bulldogs who faired well were Chad Bailey (T17th, 294), Patrick Blunt (T27th, 297), Cody Santone (T33rd, 298), Corey Bartlett (T43rd, 301) and Timothy Byrd (T53rd, 306).

Some of the highlights of the event for Tech players included Bailey shooting a second-round five-under-par 67 - Bailey shot the best cumulative score over the final three rounds but his opening 81 took him out of contention for the overall title - and Blunt bouncing back from an opening round of 80 to shoot 72, 72 and 73.

Santone, an incoming freshman at Tech, also played well for three of the four rounds, including shooting a final round one-under-par 71.

LSU's Jarrod Barsamian won the event, surviving the final day of strong winds to defeat Bo Stewart by one stroke with a four-round total of 287.