MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – Due to severe weather in the area, the final round of the 2011 Club Glove Sun Belt Conference Men’s Golf Championships was cancelled Wednesday.
With the event — which was contested at The Shoals’ Fighting Joe Course — shortened to 36 holes, the University of South Alabama ended the tournament tied for sixth place with a 591 team score.
“Although we’re disappointed not having the opportunity to compete today, I’m pleased with these guys for the success they had this year including winning two times,” stated USA head coach Ben Hannan. “Their work ethic on the course and in the classroom has been tremendous, I’m extremely proud of the team effort that was put forth this season.”
Denver earned the league’s automatic berth to an NCAA Regional with a 3-under-par 573 team score, winning the championship by four strokes over Louisiana-Monroe and North Texas. Carlos Ortiz of NT was the medalist, carding a 7-under-par 137 total after rounds of 69 and 68.
Jack Hiluta used a second-round 68 Tuesday to move into a tie for sixth place individually, as it marks the fourth time in as many seasons that the senior has placed in the top 10 at the league championships. He posted a 2-under-par 142 over the two days; in addition to recording his fifth top-10 performance of the campaign — matching a career high previously set when he was a sophomore — it was the fourth occasion that Hiluta has ended up below par in 11 tournament appearances in 2010-11.
For his effort, Hiluta was selected all-Sun Belt Conference for the third straight season; he joins Heath Slocum (1993-96), Brian Pool (1998-00), Gareth Maybin (2002-04) and Jonny Caldwell (2005-08) as the only Jags in school history to earn the honor on at least three occasions.
“Jack is deserving of this all-conference award, he has had a tremendous year so far; he showed up every week prepared to compete,” Hannan observed. “He’s also been a team leader and a major contributor to the program’s success.”
McLain Leberte also finished in the top 20, tying for 17th with a 148 36-hole score. It was the third time in the last four outings that Leberte has put together a top-20 performance, as well as an improvement of four spots individually at the SBC Championships for the sophomore after he tied for 21st a year ago.
Lane Hulse was one shot behind Leberte, tying for 22nd place after he carded a 73 in the second round. Blake Kelley ended the tournament tied for 34th place with a 152 two-round score, and David Leathem was 54th at 162.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
2011 Club Glove Sun Belt Conference Championships
The Shoals’ Fighting Joe Course, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Par 72, 7,170 yards
Team Scores: 1) Denver 284-289—573 (-3); T2) North Texas 287-290—597; T2) Louisiana-Monroe 291-286—587; 4) Arkansas State 293-291—584; 5) Louisiana-Lafayette 299-289—588; T6) South Alabama 298-293—591; T6) Middle Tennessee 303-288—591; 8) UALR 302-291—593; 9) Troy 301-301—602; 10) Florida Atlantic 315-295—610; 11) Western Kentucky 318-298—616.
Individual Leaders: 1) Carlos Ortiz, NT 69-68—137 (-7); 2) Nick Wilson, ULM 68-70—138; T3) Lloyd du Preez, ASU 72-69—141; T3) James Searson, ULM 73-68—141; T3) Jason Millard, MT 73-68—141; T6) Jack Hiluta, USA 74-68—142; T6) Troy Anderson, DU 73-69—142; T8) Philipp Fendt, ULL 73-70—143; T8) Oskar Arvidsson, DU 71-72—143; T8) Keith Becker, UALR 73-70—143.
South Alabama Scores: T6) Jack Hiluta 74-68—142 (-2); T17) McLain Leberte 73-75—148; T22) Lane Hulse 76-73—149; T34) Blake Kelley 75-77—152; 54) David Leathem 84-78—162.
