VESTAVIA HILLS — The third-ranked Alabama men’s golf team finished the opening day of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate with a 36-hole total of 6-under par 554 (277-277) on Monday afternoon at the Old Overton Club. The Crimson Tide will enter Tuesday’s third and final round just one stroke back of clubhouse leader BYU (553).
Senior Davis Riley paced the Crimson Tide on Monday, as he finished the day in third overall with a 6-under par 134. The Hattiesburg, Miss., native recorded rounds of 4-under 66 in the morning and 2-under 68 in the afternoon and has now shot in the 60s in five of the eight rounds he has played this season.
Sophomore Davis Shore also ended the day among the top-10 individuals, finishing in a tie for eighth after carding a 36-hole total of even par 140 (70-70). Sophomore Wilson Furr gave Alabama three golfers among the top-15 as he is in 12th place with a 1-over par 141 (69-72) on the par-70, 7,204 yard Old Overton Club.
A pair of Alabama golfers made their debut in the team’s lineup. Sophomore Ben Fuller, who is playing in his first competitive tournament for the Tide, is in a tie for 25th overall at 145 (72-73). Meanwhile, after playing once as an individual earlier this year, freshman Prescott Butler is seeing his first action in the UA lineup. After carding an opening round of 80, Butler responded with the low score of the Tide’s second round with a 3-under 67 and ended the day in 43rd place overall with a 147.
”I think our guys did a really good job today,” Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. “It was good to see two guys that hadn’t been in the lineup, get in the lineup and get that experience. I walked with Ben the whole day – he’s going to be a star one day. I’m proud of him and Prescott in how they represented today.”
Arkansas, ranked No. 19 in the nation, is the only other team beside the Cougars and Tide that finished the day below par and is in third overall with a 5-under 555. Auburn, ranked No. 14 in the nation, is in fourth with a 562, while Charlotte rounds out the top five with a 563.
Alabama is aiming for its sixth Jerry Pate team title in the last seven years and 10th championship in the event’s 33-year history. UA will tee off at 8:50 a.m. Tuesday off Hole No. 1 and will be paired alongside BYU and Arkansas. Admission is free for the general public.
The Jerry Pate Intercollegiate began in 1986 and is named for one of the most successful professional golfers in Crimson Tide history. Pate continues to be an active part in the tournament as he partakes in the team selection for the tournament and presents the trophy to the winning team each year.
