CHOUDRANT, La. – Niilo Maki-Petaja and Freddie Surgey each shot 71 (-1) as Louisiana Tech wrapped up round one on a picture-perfect Sunday at the Argent Financial Classic.
 
It was not the greatest of start for the Bulldogs as five of the 10 golfers bogeyed the opening hole No. 10.  However, a strong finish by the A Team for LA Tech (combined for -5 over the final two holes) helped the 'Dogs shoot 291 (+3) and finish tied for sixth at Squire Creek Country Club.
 
The freshman Surgey had a tough beginning to his collegiate career, bogeying two of his first three holes.  He settled in nicely after that though, shooting -3 the rest of the way with birdies on No. 2, No. 4, and No. 9 to finish in the red.
 
Reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year and NCAA Regional participate Maki-Petaja had a clean back nine, shooting 35 with a birdie on No. 13.  The sophomore would bogey three of the first four holes on the front, but the anchor bounced back with birdies on three of his final five holes to also finish in the red. 
 
Senior Grant Smith and freshman Morton Bailey had the two other scores for Team A, shooting 74 (+2) and 75 (+3), respectively.  Both helped with the 'Dogs strong finish as Smith birdied No. 8 while Bailey, making his Bulldog debut, birdied the Par 5 No. 9. 
 
Team B, which is in 17th on the team leaderboard, was led by sophomore Gray Kingrea.  With no birdies on the back nine that led to a 38, he shot 34 on the front which included birdies on the last two holes to finish with a 72 (E). 
 
Joel Thomas Stephens got off to a quality start, shooting 36 on the back that included a birdie on the Par 3 No. 12.  After four bogeys through holes 1-8, he too birdied No. 9 to finish with a 75 (+3). 
 
It was the reverse for freshman Isaac Adams who shot 39 on the back followed by a 36 on the front.  After bogeys on No. 1 and No. 2, he shot -2 over the last seven holes to end with a 75 (+3) for his Bulldog debut.
 
Also making his first appearance as a Bulldog was junior college transfer Oskari Schuvalow who shot 77 (+5).  Also shooting 77 (+5) was junior Riley Hnatyshyn.
 
Rice and South Alabama are tied for the team lead after shooting 286 (-2). 
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
 
On round one …
"It was not a great start by our teams.  Despite that, I was pleased with the attitude of the guys all day.  The course was playing tougher than normal.  It was a nice finish there at the end to salvage somewhat of a decent day.  We are going to need to play better tomorrow to keep ourselves in the golf tournament."
 
On the performance of Niilo and Freddie …
"Shooting 71 is a good round today.  Both Niilo and Freddie had different stages where they turned it around.  Both of them, Freddie more than Niilo, it was his first tournament in college.  Made a couple of bogeys early because of that.  Niilo had a few execution mistakes, but was able to finish strong."
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back on Monday for round two of the Argent Financial Classic.  Team B will tee off from 7:30 – 8:10 a.m. while Team A will tee off 11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
 
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