April 22, 2008

PADUCAH, Ky. --- The Samford men's golf team tied for seventh place with Eastern Illinois Tuesday in the final round of the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Golf Championships at the Country Club of Paducah. The Bulldogs and Panthers shot a three-round total of 934.

Freshman Tyler Baird led the Bulldogs throughout all three rounds, sitting in various spots of the top ten for the first two days. After round two, he sat a sixth place but fell 12 spots to a tie for 18th place in round three, shooting 231 for the tournament. Senior John Turnipseed followed the freshman in a tie for 26th place, shooting 234 while junior Bobby Baird finished in a tie for 29th place at 235. Junior Ian Cutting tied fro 39th place (241) while freshman Martin Bunt rounded out the Samford five, tying for 41st p lace (242).

Eastern Kentucky ran away with the first place spot, leading all three rounds, and finishing ahead of the pack by 19 strokes. The Colonels shot 874 and placed all five players in the top 20 including top finisher, Phil Hendrickson, who tied for second place. Murray State finished second and boasts the individual medalist, Nick Newcomb, who shot an even par of 216.

Austin Peay took third place followed by Jacksonville State who made a big jump to finish in fourth place. Host team Tennessee Tech placed fifth while Tennessee-Martin took sixth. Tennessee State and Morehead State took ninth and tenth, respectively.

T7 Samford University 315-305-314 = 934 (+70)
T18 Tyler Baird 74-74-83 = 231 (+15)
T26 John Turnipseed 78-75-81 = 234 (+18)
T29 Bobby Baird 80-76-79 = 235 (+19)
T39 Ian Cutting 83-81-77 = 241 (+25)
T41 Martin Bunt 85-80-77 = 242 (+26)