Sunday, October 8
Jonesborough, TN
18 Holes
Louisiana Tech University
at
Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate
Photo by: Tom Morris
Maki-Petaja Sets Freshman Record with 64
10/8/2023 4:05:00 PM | Men's Golf
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Louisiana Tech's Niilo Maki-Petaja made history on Sunday, shooting a freshman record 64 (-8) to lead the Bulldogs in round one of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at Blackthorn Club at the Ridges.
There was only one slight blemish on Maki-Petaja's scorecard and that was a bogey on the Par 3, 228-yard No. 16, which played as the fourth hardest hole on the course.
The rest was stellar. Playing in just his second ever collegiate event, he opened the round with birdies on holes one and two, both short Par 4s. Then he birdied No. 4, No. 6, and No. 8 to shoot a 31 on the front nine.
The momentum carried over to the back nine as he made the turn, sinking birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 (seven birdies in first 11 holes). He made it a perfect sweep of making birdies on all four Par 5s, the last one being on No. 14.
The bogey-free round ended on No. 16, but Maki-Petaja got that one back with a birdie on No. 18 to set the freshman record. He was the only golfer who had a career day as he sits second individually behind Mats Ege of host East Tennessee State who shot 62 (-10) and set the tournament record.
As a team, LA Tech shot 293 (+5) after 18 holes which puts the 'Dogs in 13th among a field that features 10 programs ranked in the top 100.
Lake Juban had the second lowest score for the Bulldogs, shooting 74 (+2) despite a triple bogey on the par 5, 534-yard No. 8. Jake Plumb shot 77 (+5) while Will Patrick shot 78 (+6).
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
On Niilo's round…
"I knew he was playing good, you could see it. I saw him birdie No. 1 and you could tell he was hitting the driver really well. The course was not easy. He did not miss any close putts. He made everything inside eight feet."
On improvements needed going into round two…
"We have to play No. 8 and No. 9 better tomorrow. We have to clean up that stretch and be more efficient with shots. We hit a lot of good putts today that did not go in. Get some rest and go out early tomorrow. We are close to playing really good golf."
NOTABLES
LA Tech will be paired with Toledo and fellow CUSA foe Liberty in round two of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate on Monday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
There was only one slight blemish on Maki-Petaja's scorecard and that was a bogey on the Par 3, 228-yard No. 16, which played as the fourth hardest hole on the course.
The rest was stellar. Playing in just his second ever collegiate event, he opened the round with birdies on holes one and two, both short Par 4s. Then he birdied No. 4, No. 6, and No. 8 to shoot a 31 on the front nine.
The momentum carried over to the back nine as he made the turn, sinking birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 (seven birdies in first 11 holes). He made it a perfect sweep of making birdies on all four Par 5s, the last one being on No. 14.
The bogey-free round ended on No. 16, but Maki-Petaja got that one back with a birdie on No. 18 to set the freshman record. He was the only golfer who had a career day as he sits second individually behind Mats Ege of host East Tennessee State who shot 62 (-10) and set the tournament record.
The record-setting scorecard ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Yv6e6nINKD
— LA Tech Golf (@LATechGolf) October 8, 2023
As a team, LA Tech shot 293 (+5) after 18 holes which puts the 'Dogs in 13th among a field that features 10 programs ranked in the top 100.
Lake Juban had the second lowest score for the Bulldogs, shooting 74 (+2) despite a triple bogey on the par 5, 534-yard No. 8. Jake Plumb shot 77 (+5) while Will Patrick shot 78 (+6).
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
On Niilo's round…
"I knew he was playing good, you could see it. I saw him birdie No. 1 and you could tell he was hitting the driver really well. The course was not easy. He did not miss any close putts. He made everything inside eight feet."
On improvements needed going into round two…
"We have to play No. 8 and No. 9 better tomorrow. We have to clean up that stretch and be more efficient with shots. We hit a lot of good putts today that did not go in. Get some rest and go out early tomorrow. We are close to playing really good golf."
NOTABLES
- Niilo Maki-Petaja shot a Bulldog freshman record 64.It also tied for the third lowest round in program history.It was also the second lowest round by a Bulldog away from their home course, Squire Creek Country Club.
- Niilo Maki-Petaja became just the fifth Bulldog in program history to shoot a 64 or better.The last to do it as Mac Murphy in 2022 at the Tiger Invitational.
- Niilo Maki-Petaja made nine birdies.
LA Tech will be paired with Toledo and fellow CUSA foe Liberty in round two of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate on Monday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
Players Mentioned
Thursday, March 06
Tuesday, September 10
Monday, September 09
Sunday, September 08
