Jones Finishes 2nd as Team Finishes 4th in Greensboro

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor of The Bear Zone/ Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

Bill Jones must have eaten his Wheaties before the men’s golf team’s latest tournament, because very few golfers in the nation are playing better than the senior from Conyers, Georgia.  Jones’s 71 (-1) in the final round of the Linger Longer Invitational put him into a tie for second place, capping another dominate performance for not only Jones, but his team as well. 

            Playing in a star-studded field that consisted of numerous Top 25 schools, Mercer would finish 4^th as a team, just behind the likes of #1 Georgia, #2 Oklahoma State and Missouri Valley Conference power Wichita State.  “Bill had a great day today and I’m really happy with how he handled himself,” commented head coach Andrew Tredway afterwards.  “He was under a lot of pressure to start this round, but the guy is just clutch.  He flat out knows how to play golf,” he added on MercerBears.com. 

            Mr. Clutch had plenty of pressure on his shoulders for the third and final round of the tournament considering he had the individual lead.  Jones had finished in the top ten for the past two tournaments, but with a 68 (-4) and 70 (-2) during the first two rounds, Jones was on the verge of becoming the first individual winner for Mercer University in quite a while.  However, late in the third round Jones was one over par going into the 16^th hole, hoping not to drop too far down in the standings. 

            Jones would birdie two of the last three holes, just missing two shots that would have tied (and thus forced a playoff) with winner Trent Whitekiller of Oklahoma State.  Just missing out on the tournament win, Jones would finish just one stroke behind Whitekiller for the tournament. 

            Don’t be mistaken though, the tournament wasn’t just about Jones battling near the top.  Devin Patel, a freshmen who struggled a bit early in the spring, tied for 15^th in the tournament at +6 while Andres Pumariega, Ryan Blackburn, and Matt Tribby would all finish in a tie for 39^th at +14.  Teammate Matt Smith would finish at +16 to wrap up the tournament, shooting an 82 on the final day as an individual entry.

            The tournament was another unmistakably strong showing by the Mercer men.  “It all comes down to decision making,” offered Tredway.  “These guys are still learning so much about this game.  There are so many little nuances.  But they work harder than just about any team I’ve ever been around.  We just a little more confidence because we are right there,” said Tredway. 

            The team now heads to the Western Intercollegiate in sunny Santa Cruz, California, from March 29-31.  The tournament marks the final tune-up for the men before they have a three week break before the A-Sun Tournament in Buies Creek, North Carolina, April 20-22.

Photo Courtesy of www.GolfinContext.net