University Star

The men owned the plantation.

The Texas State men’s golf team traveled to Springfield, La. to participate in the Carter Plantation Intercollegiate on the par-72, 7,104-yard course Monday and Tuesday. The Bobcats won both the team and individual titles.

The Bobcats shot a total team score of 881. Their first-round score was 291, followed by a 298 in the second. They concluded with a final-round score of 292. The Bobcats were followed by Louisiana-Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana who finished second and third, respectively. Stephen F. Austin tied with Jacksonville State for fourth place with scores of 914 to round out the top five teams.

Coach Shane Howell said it was nice to beat Louisiana-Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana. He said his team played on a championship level caliber golf course and performed to the best of its ability.

“We had some exceptional play from Jeff (Gerlich),” Howell said. “(He) broke the tournament record by two shots. Corey Roberson starting us out (in) the first round with a 68 and was very, very strong. Everybody played really solid (Tuesday). (We) survived a late rally from Louisiana-Lafayette, who put on a heck of a performance.”

Gerlich, mass communication senior, brought home the individual title after finishing in first place with his final round, even-par 72 score. He set a new tournament record with his 208 total score. Gerlich set a personal record by being one of two individual golfers to record below par, first- and second-round scores of 69 and 67. Christ Stroud of Lamar, who shot a 210 in 2004, held the previous tournament record.

“It was really incredible,” Howell said. “This is the sixth year for the Invitational, and Christ Stroud, who is on the PGA tour, held the previous record at six under. To shoot the scores that he did the first two rounds, under really tough conditions says a lot about him and his golf this week. It was really a great performance. So, it was quite impressive.”

Roberson, exercise and sports science senior, finished in fifth place with a total of 221 and third-round score of 74. Gerlich and Roberson were both named to the all-tournament team. Roberson said the team was selected based on individuals who finished in the top six positions.

Howell said Gerlich and Roberson achieved these honors because of their consistent round-by-round play and competitive attitudes.
Gerlich said he was happy with the tournament results.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Gerlich said. “Obviously, some of the other guys didn’t play as well as they would have liked to have played. But, for the most part, they hung in there. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good tournament.”

Carson Gibson, business sophomore, and Michael Carnes, history junior, followed Gerlich and Roberson, ,and both finished tied for 16th. Philip Krebsbach, accounting sophomore, finished tied for 21st. Gibson shot a third-round 75 while Carnes and Krebsbach both shot a third-round 73.

Gerlich said putting and placement were his strong points.

“I was able to put the ball pretty much where I wanted to put it,” Gerlich said. “And then, once I was on the green, I hit the putts.”

Roberson said he was pleased both he and Gerlich were selected to the all-tournament team.

“He (Gerlich) had a great tournament. I played pretty well with the exception of one or two shots out there,” Roberson said. “I’m happy we both finished in the all-tournament team.”

Roberson said he does not see the need to change his game because of his final results. Instead, he will continue to play how he usually does.

Howell said there is one more stop — the Southland Conference Championship — to make before the final tournament.

“We have one more tournament left before conference,” Howell said. “Hopefully we can go and win that event at Arkansas-Little Rock and be ready for conference, because it will be tough.”

The Bobcats will travel to Little Rock, Ark. next week for the UALR Invitational. The competition will be the team’s last until the conference tournament in April.