Behind a record-setting performance by junior DJ Vogt, the Bellarmine University men’s golf team continued its solid play by posting a team score of 283 (-5) in the second round of the NCAA Midwest/Central Regional being played at the 7,001-yard, par 72 Awarii Dunes Golf Course.
Vogt fired a school record 63 (-9) today, playing bogey-free and recording nine birdies. “I just hit a bunch of fairways and greens, and the coaches (Mike Brumfield and Ernie Denham) helped read some putts,” Vogt said in explaining the success of his round. “I made some 20-footers (putts) that I usually don’t make,” he added.
Starting on hole 10 in today’s round, Vogt opened with a pair of routine pars before getting up and down from an improbable position on the par 5 12th hole for a birdie. “That up and down on 12 sort of kick started my round, and led to three straight birdies,” Vogt said.
The previous Bellarmine record for the low 18-hole round during competition was 64, held by four players: David Shearn, Jason Fryia, Matthew Gade, and Michael Kamber.
Vogt, who once a shot a 62 in a non-competitive round, shares the individual lead in the tournament at -12 with Stefan Idstam of Southwestern Oklahoma and Keenai Sampson of McKendree.
As a team, the Knights are in seventh place overall at 564 (-12). The top four teams and top two individuals not on an advancing team will earn berths into the NCAA finals in Kissimmee, Florida on May 22-26.
Bellarmine is well within striking distance as a team. Central Missouri leads the tournament at (-26) with Lindenwood six shots back, and Tiffin in third at -16. The Knights are just two shots out of fourth place, shared by Grand Valley State, Indianapolis, and Southwestern Oklahoma.
The Knights’ score of 283 was Bellarmine’s second-lowest 18-hole round of the season, trailing only yesterday’s 281.
Individually, Ryan Harris posted the Knights’ second-best score on the day at even par 72. Spencer Hackert carded a 73 with Corey Teaford providing Bellarmine’s fourth score with a 75. Sophomore James Inman, who shot 68 yesterday, posted a 76 today.
Bellarmine will tee off in tomorrow’s final round at 12:15 p.m. local time (1:15 pm. EDT) off the No. 10 tee. The Knights’ playing competitors tomorrow will be Central Oklahoma and Ferris State.
by John Spugnardi