Sunday, September 10
Choudrant, LA
18 Holes
Louisiana Tech University
vs
Argent Financial Classic
Bulldog Freshmen Lead the Way in Round One of Argent Financial Classic
9/10/2023 7:47:00 PM | Men's Golf
CHOUDRANT, La. – Louisiana Tech's freshman duo of Jack Plumb and Niilo Maki-Petaja anchored the Bulldogs on Sunday as the team shot 288 (E) to finish tied for third after the first round of the Argent Financial Classic.
Plumb and Maki-Petaja shot 69 (-3) and 70 (-2), respectively, as LA Tech officially opened the 2023-24 season on its home course at Squire Creek Country Club.
Plumb shook off back-to-back bogeys to start his round by firing eight birdies in his last 16 holes, including a chip-in on the par four No. 8 and a 50-foot putt on the par three No. 12, to finish the day tied for fifth as an individual.
Meanwhile, Maki-Petaja had a tap-in for birdie for his first collegiate putt on No. 10 and proceeded to play bogey-free golf on the back nine. He ended up shooting 35 on the front nine as well to end the round tied for ninth.
Hunter Battles was the first Bulldog to tee off at approximately 8:20 a.m. After going the first 17 holes with all pars except for a bogey and double bogey, the fifth-year senior closed out his round with a birdie on the par five No. 9 to shoot 74 (+2).
The fourth scored used was that of Lake Juban who shot 75 (+3), getting his lone birdie on the par five No. 5. The top Bulldog individual was Riley Hnatyshyn who recorded two birdies, 13 pars, and three bogeys to shoot 73 (+1).
LA Tech is tied with Southern Miss for third while Central Arkansas and UL-Lafayette are in first and second, respectively.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
On round one…
"I was pleased with today's round. Was very glad to be back. It was a lot fun to be out there coaching the guys. I know some of them didn't play the way they wanted to, but it is part of it. The guys seem to put a little more pressure on themselves because it is a home event and they want to play good. We played good enough to get in there and see what happens tomorrow."
On the two freshmen…
"Both guys are super talented. I did not expect those guys to go out and lead us, but they did and I am pleased with it. Now, they have set the bar. The mark is there and let's go do it again tomorrow. I expect them to come out with the same mentality and play just as good tomorrow."
On the course…
"The course is in fantastic shape. The greens are firm and fast. The weather was outstanding with it finally cooling off a little bit. I cannot thank Squire Creek enough for the way the course is."
On the mindset going into round two…
"We have three seniors that need to play better and they know that. They are not lost. They get to go play tomorrow and dictate how they do, how they approach the golf course. As those guys go, that is the way we are going to go. If we are going to win this golf tournament, they have to play better."
NOTABLES
LA Tech will be back in action on Monday at Squire Creek Country Club for round two of the Argent Financial Classic. The Bulldog individuals tee off between 7:50 – 8:20 a.m. while the team tees off between 11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All pairings will start on Hole 10 with live stats available on Golfstat.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
Plumb and Maki-Petaja shot 69 (-3) and 70 (-2), respectively, as LA Tech officially opened the 2023-24 season on its home course at Squire Creek Country Club.
Plumb shook off back-to-back bogeys to start his round by firing eight birdies in his last 16 holes, including a chip-in on the par four No. 8 and a 50-foot putt on the par three No. 12, to finish the day tied for fifth as an individual.
Meanwhile, Maki-Petaja had a tap-in for birdie for his first collegiate putt on No. 10 and proceeded to play bogey-free golf on the back nine. He ended up shooting 35 on the front nine as well to end the round tied for ninth.
Hunter Battles was the first Bulldog to tee off at approximately 8:20 a.m. After going the first 17 holes with all pars except for a bogey and double bogey, the fifth-year senior closed out his round with a birdie on the par five No. 9 to shoot 74 (+2).
The fourth scored used was that of Lake Juban who shot 75 (+3), getting his lone birdie on the par five No. 5. The top Bulldog individual was Riley Hnatyshyn who recorded two birdies, 13 pars, and three bogeys to shoot 73 (+1).
LA Tech is tied with Southern Miss for third while Central Arkansas and UL-Lafayette are in first and second, respectively.
Round 1 of the 2023-24 season is in the books pic.twitter.com/05xk1fYQc5
— LA Tech Golf (@LATechGolf) September 10, 2023
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
On round one…
"I was pleased with today's round. Was very glad to be back. It was a lot fun to be out there coaching the guys. I know some of them didn't play the way they wanted to, but it is part of it. The guys seem to put a little more pressure on themselves because it is a home event and they want to play good. We played good enough to get in there and see what happens tomorrow."
On the two freshmen…
"Both guys are super talented. I did not expect those guys to go out and lead us, but they did and I am pleased with it. Now, they have set the bar. The mark is there and let's go do it again tomorrow. I expect them to come out with the same mentality and play just as good tomorrow."
On the course…
"The course is in fantastic shape. The greens are firm and fast. The weather was outstanding with it finally cooling off a little bit. I cannot thank Squire Creek enough for the way the course is."
On the mindset going into round two…
"We have three seniors that need to play better and they know that. They are not lost. They get to go play tomorrow and dictate how they do, how they approach the golf course. As those guys go, that is the way we are going to go. If we are going to win this golf tournament, they have to play better."
NOTABLES
- LA Tech tied for the best scoring average on the par threes (3.00).
- Between the nine Bulldogs competing, five of them birdied the final hole par five No. 9.
- Jake Plumb's 69 tied for the 20th lowest round at a Squire Creek home event.He became the 22nd Bulldog in program history to shoot 69 or better at the home event, which is in its 20th year of existence.
- Jake Plumb carded eight birdies, the most of any player in round one.
LA Tech will be back in action on Monday at Squire Creek Country Club for round two of the Argent Financial Classic. The Bulldog individuals tee off between 7:50 – 8:20 a.m. while the team tees off between 11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All pairings will start on Hole 10 with live stats available on Golfstat.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Golf, follow us on Twitter (@LATechGolf), Instagram (@LATech_Golf), and Facebook (LATechGolf).
Players Mentioned
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