10.19.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University men's golf competed at the Barnabas Health Intercollegiate October 15-16 hosted by Seton Hall University at the Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.  The Lancers, coached by 15th-year head coach Kevin Fillman, finished fourth among 17 teams with their 36-hole score of 305-297--602.  Longwood returns to action Oct. 23-25 at the OBX Collegiate Invitational hosted by Old Dominion University, a 54-hole tournament at the Kilmarlic Golf Club in Powells Point, North Carolina.

A Quick Look Back At The Barnabas Health Intercollegiate
Senior Ross Sumner|Callao (Northumberland) led Longwood with his even-par total of 71-73--144 that was among a four-way tie for first individually in the field of 90. He was followed by freshman Blake Carter|Bassett (Bassett) (77-73--150, t-18th), senior Austin Gray|Midlothian (Monacan) (80-75--155, t-37th), sophomore Kyle Bodin|Austin, Texas (McNeil) (82-76--158, t-47th), and senior Kenny Leech|Boca Raton (Grandview Prep)  (77-90--167, t-83rd).  Bodin was playing in his first tournament in almost a year since a wrist injury that required two surgeries last spring.

Head Coach Kevin Fillman
“There's no excuses; we just didn't play very well at Seton Hall.  Sure, the weather wasn't ideal and the hole locations were pretty difficult, but it was the same for everybody.  Where we really hurt ourselves was down the stretch on Saturday.  We hadn't played very well throughout the round, but, as it turns out, we were actually in decent shape until the final four holes.  From there, we lost a lot of shots that took us from a position of potentially having the lead to where we're eight shots back with four teams in front of us.  The shots aren't a big deal, but anytime you have that many teams between you and the lead, you need to get help from too many people.  It's just a lot to overcome in one round.  Even though we struggled as a team, I'm very happy for Ross.  After making three 6's in a row in the middle of the final round, he really had to battle.  He showed a lot of heart and responded by making five 3's over the final seven holes.

“I know we've been looking forward to ODU's event.  The field is fantastic, and to play against highly ranked teams is exciting for our guys.  With it being our final tournament of the fall, it's important that we go play the way we're capable of.  It's a long time before we play again, and we certainly want to go through the winter off a good performance.”

In The Rankings
Longwood is ranked 183rd among 272 Division I men's golf teams in this week's Golfstat Rankings.  The Lancers' ranking is based upon their 43.122 winning percentage through four tournaments. The University of Texas is the top-ranked program this week with its 95.018%.  Longwood is ranked 168th in this week's Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings with a rating of 74.39.  Texas is top-ranked in this poll as well with its rating of 69.21.

It's My Turn
Ross Sumner earned his second-straight top-five finish while tying for medalist honors at the Barnabas Health Intercollegiate (10.15-16).  It was the third consecutive tournament that a Longwood golfer has garnered medalist accolades, following the two recent individual wins by Austin Gray (see below).  Additionally, it was the second collegiate career win for Sumner who posted 214 to win the Manor Intercollegiate (9.13-14.2010) to open last year.

Back-to-Back
Austin Gray averaged 70.83 while winning back-to-back tournament titles at the Bucknell Invitational (9.16-17) and the Joe Agee Invitational (10.3-4), respectively. His respective rounds were 68, 71, 69, 71, 71, and 75 during his consecutive medalist honors at the events hosted by Bucknell and William and Mary.  The two individual wins are the first two of Gray's collegiate career.

A Little Breathing Room | Season Statistics
Following two weeks of only one shot separating the top two Longwood golfers, and a different leader each week, Ross Sumner has opened a little room at the top with his 10-shot advantage.  Through four tournaments and 11 rounds of golf, Sumner (792) is averaging 72.00 with a low round 69 (2x).  Austin Gray (802) is averaging 72.91 with a low round of 68.  They are followed by Blake Carter (8, 598-74.75, 70), freshman Jason Schumacher|Glen Allen (Deep Run) (3, 225-75.00, 70), Kenny Leech (828-75.27, 67), sophomore Dylan Jensen|Martinsville (Carlisle) (9, 687-76.33, 71), and Kyle Bodin (2, 158-79.00, 76).  The Lancers are averaging 292.00 as a team, and while still early, ahead of the school-record scoring average of 295.10 established during 2008-09.

In The Record Book
In addition to tying the school record for 54-holes (208) while winning the Bucknell Invitational (9.16-17), Austin Gray also tied for the fifth-best 36-hole score (68-71--139).  His two-under-par 208 matched that of Chris Shuford posted in 2004, though Shuford's total was at eight-under, while the one-under 139 was most recently posted by Scooter Buhrman in 2009 (-5).  Kenny Leech tied the sixth-best round in school history with his second-day, three-under-par 67, equaling that posted most recently by both Buhrman (-5) and Adam Webb (-3) in 2008.

A Look At The OBX Collegiate Invitational
The three-day, 54-hole tournament will include 18 holes on Sunday, Oct. 23, 18 holes on Monday, Oct. 24, and 18 holes on Tuesday, Oct. 25.  Last year, the Kilmarlic Golf Club played 6,559-yards and as a par 72 layout.  East Carolina University is the defending champion after posting an 827 last year.  Longwood finished 10th among 18 teams a year ago with its 881, while Austin Gray led the Lancers with his 214 that tied for 13th in the field of 93.

Up Next
The OBX Collegiate Invitational will complete the fall portion of the 2011-12 schedule for Longwood.