Buffs battle the elements

Hendersonville, N.C. (March 18, 2008) --- The Milligan College men’s golf team played through the wind and the rain Monday and Tuesday at the Montreat Invitational. The Buffs finished fifth despite the rough conditions at Crooked Creek Golf Club.

The Buffs were led Monday by junior Jay Bernhardt (Johnston City, Ill.) with a 77, followed closely by freshman Ben Treadway (Johnson City, Tenn.) who fired a 79. Senior Grayson Patton (Fries, Va.) was third for the Buffs during the first round with an 82, and freshman Ben Reno (Plainfield, Ind.) rounded out the top four with an 85. The Buffs fired a first round 323.

The second round brought colder temps, more precipitation, and a lower total score for the Buffs. The team lowered their second round total by 13 strokes, for a total of 310. Treadway shot an even par 72 to lead the Buffs during the final round. Patton lowered his score as well shooting 77, while Reno shot 80. Junior Michael Woods (Knoxville, Tenn.) improved the second day and rounded out the Buffs top four with an 81.

“It was not a bad first showing,” said Patton. “We just need to shake off the rust a little bit and start playing golf the way we are all capable of.”

The Buffs travel to Lookout Mountain, Ga. for the Covenant Invitational Monday, March 24. The Covenant Invitational is 36 holes played in one day and is scheduled to start at 8 a.m.