Men’s golf opens season at USF Invitational

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.––The Marshall University men's golf team opened the spring portion of the 2009-10 season this weekend at the USF Invitational. Play began Friday at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, Fla. Round two was Saturday with the final 18 holes Sunday. 

The Herd is one of 23 teams in the field. Competitors are Arkansas State University, Austin Peay State University, Campbell University, University of Cincinnati, Columbus State University, DePaul University, Eastern Michigan University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Southern University, Jacksonville State University, University of Louisville, Marquette University, Marshall University, Middle Tennesse State University, Missouri State University, University of Nebraska, University of North Florida, University of Rhode Island, University of South Alabama, Troy University, University of Southern Florida, Villanova University, and Xavier University. Eight of the teams (North Florida-28; Middle Tennesse-31; Louisville-60; Eastern Michigan-66; South Alabam-85; Nebraska-86; Campbell-95; and Florida Atlantic-97) are ranked in the Golfweek Top 100.

The Marshall lineup includes Nathan Kerns, freshman from Ironton, Ohio, Bennett Boyer, sophomore from Millersburg, Pa, Bosten Miller, sophomore from Charleston, W.Va., Aaron Boggs, red shirt freshman from Madison, W.Va., and Carson Schambach, sophomore from Glen Dale, W.Va.

The Marshall men's golf team completed day one of the USF Invitational on Friday afternoon as Kerns led Marshall with an opening round score of 75.

Kerns shot a three-over-par round to tie for 61st place overall for the Thundering Herd.

Miller tied for 88th on day one with a five-over-par round of 77 and Schambach finished three strokes behind Miller placing 104th.

Boggs and Boyer rounded off the team with an 83 and 86, respectively.

The 2009 tournament runner-up, Florida Southern College, along with Middle Tennessee State and Campbell University took the early lead as they each shot a 288 through round one. But it was the University of North Florida that shined during round two and finished day one in the lead with a 286 in the opening round.

Marshall's Miller and Boggs combined for a 10-stroke improvement on day two of the USF Invitational.

The Thundering Herd was led in round two by Miller, who shot a team-low 73 on day two.  Miller posted a 77 in day one and joined Kerns at six-over-par at the conclusion of day two.

Boggs improved six strokes from round one as he went five-over-par on Saturday and headed into the third and final round with a score of 160 (83-77).

Schambach dropped one stroke to move to 17-over-par through two rounds of play. 

Marshall stands in 23rd place, six strokes behind the 22nd Austin Peay State. 

Florida Southern College climbed one spot to first place at seven-under-par, with Middle Tennessee State five stokes behind with one round to go.