Jack Hiluta scores second win of 2010 in America
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA SPORTS WEBSITE
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Senior (fourth year) student Jack Hiluta from Chelmsford, a former England boys' international team captain, equalled his best round of the season yesterday (Tuesday) with a four-under-par 68, earning medallist honors while helping the University of South Alabama men’s golf team post the low score of the day to come from behind and claim the team title for the second year in a row at the Memphis Intercollegiate.
The Jaguars recorded an even-par 288 total as a group, as Chris Piumelli posted an even-par 72, Blake Kelley shot a 73 and McLain Leberte had a 75 over the final 18 holes of the tournament. Trailing by four entering the day, South Alabama’s 878 54-hole score was enough to finish seven strokes ahead of Akron. Third-placed Missouri recorded an 892 team total. Fifteen schools competed in the event.
Hiluta was the individual tournament winner for the second time in 2010 — he also accomplished the feat at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in February to begin the spring campaign — after firing a seven-under-par 209 total, the lowest score he has posted over 54 holes in three-plus seasons on the US college circuit. He finished five shots ahead of Missouri’s Jace Long.
The final round of the event began approximately two hours late because of poor weather, and play was delayed after eight holes as well because of rain.
“It was cold and real windy, and I think we played under a tornado watch,” Jaguar head coach Ben Hannan commented. “The conditions were challenging, to say the least. It was a day of perseverance and fight for our guys. Except for Jack we had a mediocre start, but they continued to battle and hang on, and we closed very strong over the last five to six holes.
“Jack was in complete control from the word 'Go' - he played a fantastic round,” he continued. “Chris had another great event, Blake made a bunch of pars '— which under these conditions made for a terrific round — and McLain really held it together, he was a huge competitor today.”
“I really think the key for me this week was just playing the shot in front of me,” stated Jack Hiluta. “I knew from playing here the last three years that this was going to be a tough golf course, and that par goes a long way. I didn’t worry about my score. You can’t do that in these conditions or else you can lose shots quickly.
“My game was tight this week and I was able to keep my focus, which gave me a lot of confidence.”
Hiluta started with a birdie at the par-5 first hole, and after a bogey at No. 4 he sank three straight birdies to move to 3-under par over the long and testing 7,259yd, par-72 Colonial Country Club South Course.
The Englishman played the back nine in 2-under par after adding birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, matching his low score of the season, recorded in the second round of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.
After finishing outside the top 10 in their first two tournaments of the year, the Jaguars recorded three straight top-four results in October.
The Memphis Intercollegiate was the last of five fall (autumn) events for the Jags, who will open the spring season when they play host to the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate at the Magnolia Grove Crossings Course (February 21-22).
“I’m real proud of the way these guys closed out the fall season,” Hannan said. “They continued to prepare and stayed focused, which shows the maturity and confidence this group is gaining.”
Anglo-Scot Stuart Ballingall (Missouri) from Norwich finished joint fourth on 219 with scores of 72, 74 and 73, helping his college to finish third behind South Alabama and Akron.
MEMPHIS INTERCOLLEGIATE
Colonial Country Club South Course, Memphis, Tennessee
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72). Yardage: 7,259.
INDIVIDUALS
209 Jack Hiluta (South Alabama) 69 72 68.
214 Jace Long (Missouri) 77 68 69.
216 Chris Piumelli (South Alabama) 73 71 72.
219 Stuart Ballingall (Missouri) 72 74 73, Ethan Savoy (Louisiana-Lafayette) 74 69 76.
TEAMS
878 South Alabama. 885 Akron. 892 Missouri. 894 Memphis. 896 Arkansas-Little Rock. 897 Tulsa (15 teams took part).
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA SPORTS WEBSITE
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Senior (fourth year) student Jack Hiluta from Chelmsford, a former England boys' international team captain, equalled his best round of the season yesterday (Tuesday) with a four-under-par 68, earning medallist honors while helping the University of South Alabama men’s golf team post the low score of the day to come from behind and claim the team title for the second year in a row at the Memphis Intercollegiate.
The Jaguars recorded an even-par 288 total as a group, as Chris Piumelli posted an even-par 72, Blake Kelley shot a 73 and McLain Leberte had a 75 over the final 18 holes of the tournament. Trailing by four entering the day, South Alabama’s 878 54-hole score was enough to finish seven strokes ahead of Akron. Third-placed Missouri recorded an 892 team total. Fifteen schools competed in the event.
Hiluta was the individual tournament winner for the second time in 2010 — he also accomplished the feat at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in February to begin the spring campaign — after firing a seven-under-par 209 total, the lowest score he has posted over 54 holes in three-plus seasons on the US college circuit. He finished five shots ahead of Missouri’s Jace Long.
The final round of the event began approximately two hours late because of poor weather, and play was delayed after eight holes as well because of rain.
“It was cold and real windy, and I think we played under a tornado watch,” Jaguar head coach Ben Hannan commented. “The conditions were challenging, to say the least. It was a day of perseverance and fight for our guys. Except for Jack we had a mediocre start, but they continued to battle and hang on, and we closed very strong over the last five to six holes.
“Jack was in complete control from the word 'Go' - he played a fantastic round,” he continued. “Chris had another great event, Blake made a bunch of pars '— which under these conditions made for a terrific round — and McLain really held it together, he was a huge competitor today.”
“I really think the key for me this week was just playing the shot in front of me,” stated Jack Hiluta. “I knew from playing here the last three years that this was going to be a tough golf course, and that par goes a long way. I didn’t worry about my score. You can’t do that in these conditions or else you can lose shots quickly.
“My game was tight this week and I was able to keep my focus, which gave me a lot of confidence.”
Hiluta started with a birdie at the par-5 first hole, and after a bogey at No. 4 he sank three straight birdies to move to 3-under par over the long and testing 7,259yd, par-72 Colonial Country Club South Course.
The Englishman played the back nine in 2-under par after adding birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, matching his low score of the season, recorded in the second round of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.
After finishing outside the top 10 in their first two tournaments of the year, the Jaguars recorded three straight top-four results in October.
The Memphis Intercollegiate was the last of five fall (autumn) events for the Jags, who will open the spring season when they play host to the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate at the Magnolia Grove Crossings Course (February 21-22).
“I’m real proud of the way these guys closed out the fall season,” Hannan said. “They continued to prepare and stayed focused, which shows the maturity and confidence this group is gaining.”
Anglo-Scot Stuart Ballingall (Missouri) from Norwich finished joint fourth on 219 with scores of 72, 74 and 73, helping his college to finish third behind South Alabama and Akron.
MEMPHIS INTERCOLLEGIATE
Colonial Country Club South Course, Memphis, Tennessee
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72). Yardage: 7,259.
INDIVIDUALS
209 Jack Hiluta (South Alabama) 69 72 68.
214 Jace Long (Missouri) 77 68 69.
216 Chris Piumelli (South Alabama) 73 71 72.
219 Stuart Ballingall (Missouri) 72 74 73, Ethan Savoy (Louisiana-Lafayette) 74 69 76.
TEAMS
878 South Alabama. 885 Akron. 892 Missouri. 894 Memphis. 896 Arkansas-Little Rock. 897 Tulsa (15 teams took part).
Labels: US COLLEGES
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