Eagles in second at Nationals

Eric Spruill
The Edmond Sun

May 13, 2008 09:49 pm

— PLYMOUTH, IND. — Fernando Gonzales fired a 3-under par round of 69 to tie for second place individually, as the Oklahoma Christian men’s golf team put themselves in contention for its first NAIA national championship, as they are alone in second place, three strokes behind the leader.
Gonzales was 2-under on the back nine, including back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15. The junior hit 11-of-14 fairways, and 16-of-18 greens in regulation.
“I’m excited for Fernando, we had a good game plan on how to attack the course, and he followed it. He played very much within himself, he stayed positive, I’m very pleased with his play,” OC head coach David Lynn said.
Rhein Gibson and freshmen Axel Ochoa were both even-par for the day on the par-72 course.
Ochoa had an up-and-down round, which included five birdies, one eagle and seven bogeys.
“Rhein and Axel both had great rounds today. Axel was hitting it all over the place, he’s a big hitter anyway, but to come in here and finish even par is huge. It’s his first national tournament, and now that he’s got the first day under his belt, I expect him to settle down and post some good scores,” Lynn said.
OC’s Bruno Buccolo got off to a rough start, with a double-bogey on No. 2, and then had another double on No. 12, as he finished 4-over for the day.
Meanwhile, freshmen Oscar Stark the No. 5 man, posted a 2-over 74.
“That’s big for us, when you drop your No. 1’s score and still finish 1-under. I expect Bruno to bounce back, and get back in this tournament, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him,” Lynn said. “I couldn’t ask for much more from the team today, you just have to put yourself in position on the first day, you certainly can’t win it on the first day. I thought all five had solid rounds.”
The Eagles finished the first day of action with a team score of 287, three strokes behind Johnson & Wales (Fla.), who is led by David Tobin who sits in first place, after carding a 4-under 68.
The Sooner Athletic Conference had a good showing, with Wayland Baptist and Oklahoma City University in a three-way tie for fourth with British Columbia, deadlocked at 294.
Southern Nazarene is in 12th place, 18 strokes off the lead.
OC’s Stark will be the first Eagle to tee-off today, as he scheduled to go at 1 p.m.
For live results you can visit www.golfstatresults.com