Irvin Aces 15th, Fires 66 To Lead Rome News-Tribune Invitational
ROME, Ga. - Berry's Alex Irvin was one of two players to hit a hole-in-one and shot the day's low round on the first day of the Rome News-Tribune Invitational, hosted by Berry College at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome Monday.
Irvin aced the 182-yard par three 15th hole to highlight his round of 66 Monday. He shot 34 on the front nine and 32 on the final nine holes to head into Tuesday's final round with a one-stroke lead over second-place Tyler Smith of Lee.
Irvin's hole-in-one came on the heels of an eagle on the par-5 14th hole. He said he didn't know he aced the 15th until his group reached the cup.
"We couldn't see if it had gone in from the tee shot," Irvin said. "A couple of guys in our group said they heard it hit the pin, but we couldn't tell until we got there that it was in the hole.
"I was hot after eagling the hole before," Irvin said. "I was just trying to contain myself and continue on playing."
Despite shooting the day's low round, it didn't help Berry's team score, since Irvin was playing as an individual. Still, Irvin has plenty to play for Tuesday.
"Hopefully, I can hold it together and get another good result," he said.
He then laughed and added, "Another hole-in-one would be great."
Lindenwood's Paul Colditz also holed out on a tee shot, acing the 183-yard par three 12th hole. Colditz shot 76 overall.
As a team, the host Vikings are tied with Reinhardt for fifth place at 296. Lee leads the field after shooting 284, five strokes ahead of second-place Cumberlands. LaGrange is third after shooting 292 and Shorter is fourth at 295.
Campbellsville (297) is seventh, followed by Indiana Wesleyan (299), Lindenwood (302), Milligan (309) and Oklahoma Baptist (309), Covenant (315), Union (Ky.) (322), Truett-McConnell (326) and Young Harris (338).
Berry's Ryan Gambrell and Alex Elmore are tied for 14th place after shooting 73, one stroke ahead of teammate Tim Kim, who is tied for 20th. Chadd Reynolds shot 76 and is tied for 41st, and Jason Terranova is tied for 82nd after shooting 82.
Three other Berry players other than Irvin played as individuals. Jose Garcia is tied for 33rd after shooting 75, John Hall is tied for 50th with a first-round 75 and Jared Hall is 90th after shooting 88.
- BerryVikings.com -