Jim Rivers Intercollegiate Squire Creek Country Club

The UCA Men’s Golf team scored a three day total of 895 (+31) remaining 11th place in Jim Rivers Intercollegiate. The tournament took place in Choudrant, LA at Squire Creek and began on Sunday, Sept. 13.

On the first day, UCA placed 11th with 305 (+17). Freshman Palmer McSpadden finished T28 with 74 (+2). At T52, sophomores Davis Irving, Josh Turnock, Nate Jolly, and freshman Blaine Calhoon ended the round with 77 (+5). Junior Miles Smith ended T63 with 78 (+6).

“The course was in great shape, one of the nicest I’ve played,” said Jolly. He stayed focused by talking to his playing partners and saying relaxed. “I told myself to not put pressure on myself and just go out there and see what happens. It ended up allowing me to throw together a good round.”

The second day of the tournament, the team scored a total of 604 with 28 birdies. McSpadden, Jolly, and Turnock, scored a two day total of 152 (+8) and tied for 50th. Smith started at T63 with 78 and finished with 75 at T57, totaling his score to 153 (+9) for the second day. Behind Smith was Irving who ended his second day score with 155 (+11), again placing the UCA golf team 11th place with a total of 604 (+28).

In regards to strategies to help and coach the team, Miles Smith commented, “Everyone has different weaknesses and strengths so being a coach that can help one player out varies. Coaching is a pretty big aspect out there.” Some UCA players struggled with putting and focusing on the greens. “Golf is probably the most mental sport out there. I just know that everytime I putt the ball and if it’s the best stroke that I can possibly do, there's nothing I should be upset about.”

Jolly said that although they didn’t play their best overall and are not happy with how it went, they got better each round which was a positive as they head to their next tournaments. “First two rounds were not all that great and I couldn't really get anything going. I drove the ball really well, but I struggled with reading the greens a little bit. I played well in my last round.”

On the final day of the tournament UCA scored 291 bringing their total over three days to 895 (+31). Jumping up two spots, Jolly totaled 222 (+6) at T30 followed by Calhoon who ended at T37 with 223 (+7). “My next match I'm going in by learning from my mistakes,” said Smith. He finished with 227 (+11) at the end of T50 and both Irving and McSpadden ended with 230 completing 14 birdies at T58. At T68 ending, Turnock finished with a 235 (+19) score. “My putting was struggling so all week long I have been really really working on putting a chipping and stuff like that and keeping myself sharp. Hopefully that will give me the edge and we’ll get a win in there.”

Jolly is looking forward to playing the honors course in Tennessee because, “They have played some big tournaments there and we’re all excited to go out there and play.”

They will continue to their next game on Sept. 21 in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the 2020 Scenic City Collegiate.