Rutherford Times

Battling adverse weather with the competition on his heels all day, Owen Stamper emerged victorious on the final day of the Lake Las Vegas Intercollegiate at Reflection Bay Golf Club. The Scottsville, Ky., native finished the tournament with a career-low 205 (-11) after carding a 67 (-5) Wednesday.

Stamper  stumbled a bit out of the gate, bogeying the first two holes he played before bouncing back for birdies on four of the next five holes. He ended the round with seven birdies, including one on his final hole of the day. That final birdie proved to be the difference, as play concluded with Stamper holding onto a one-stroke lead.

Middle Tennessee finished the tournament in sixth place at 872 (+8), moving three spots up the leaderboard in the third round on the strength of a collective 285 (-3). Six out of seven MTSU players enjoyed their best performances of the tournament Wednesday.

Michael Barnard added a solid performance Wednesday, making birdie three times and finishing with an eagle to record a 70 (-2) for the day. He tied for 33rd overall at 219 (+3).

Markus Varjun recorded a 73 (+1) to finish in a tie for 55th at 228 (+12).  Luke Perkins, playing as an individual, shot a 75 (+3) to match Varjun at 228.

Kevin Jegers ended the event tied for 60th at 229 (+13). Gavin Clements carded a 75 (+3) to finish tied for 64th at 231 (+15).

Carter Maneth, also competing as an individual, finished in a tie for 72nd at 234 (+18) after a 74 (+2) third-round performance helped him gain seven spots in the individual standings.

By the Numbers

11 – Stamper's 54-hole score of 205 is the 11th-lowest by a Blue Raider in program history and bests his previous career-low by one.

18 – Stamper's 18 birdies were the most by any player in the tournament.

6 – The Blue Raiders' team score of 285 in the third round was the team's sixth-lowest score of the season.

Coach's Comments: Mark McEntire 

"I am very happy with the play from our team today! We had brutal weather to start, and they hung in there. I am proud of the effort and the score.

Congrats to Owen Stamper. He continues to improve and is showing that he is one of the best players in the country!"

Tournament Notes

• Stamper's title is the fourth by a Blue Raider in the last two seasons. Prior to last spring, MTSU had gone three years without an individual champion.
• Little Rock won the team title at 844 (-20).
• The Blue Raiders are back in action March 17-19 at the Schenkel Invitational.

Original source can be found here