McMurry, HSU lead TIAA golf tournament

By TED DUNNAM
Assistant Sports Editor

The Shark found out Sunday that water wasn't a very comfortable habitat.

McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University learned Monday that dry land wasn't too much of an enjoyable environment, either, at Fairway Oaks Country Club.

Despite rounds that left Indian head coach Tommy Estes and Cowboy head coach Jeff Goodin less than satisfied, McMurry and HSU hold the top two spots entering today's final round of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association golf tournament.

The Indians took over the lead from the Cowboys after shooting a 319. Combined with their first two rounds of 300 and 315, the Indians have a 934 total which is six shots better than HSU. The Indians shot a 326 Monday for a 940 total.

"We really didn't play as well as I thought we would," Estes said. "I think our guys were pretty keyed up and just didn't play like we're capable. We just need to relax tomorrow, play one shot at a time and enjoy playing golf."

McMurry's Josh Long had little difficulty with Fairway's potentially troublesome layout. The Indian freshman shot a one-over-par 73 that featured four birdies.

His score was four shots better than the next best score.

"I got my head into playing golf and concentrated well the whole day," Long said. "I didn't get mad at myself, which was a key. Plus, I made a lot of putts."

Long birdied the fifth, ninth, 14th and 15th holes. At 15, Long was nestled next to a tree but punched a 9-iron to within 12 feet of the hole and then dropped in his birdie putt.

"Josh had a good round," Estes said. "He just seems to be able to focus in well. He really concentrates well on the golf course."

The only other sub-80 round from the Indians came from Regan King, who shot a 79.
J.D. Rankin shot a 77 and Corbin Edmondson fired a 79 for Hardin-Simmons, but several other players struggled as the Cowboys saw their one-stroke lead at the start of the day disappear.

"Norman yesterday and Hardin-Simmons today," Goodin said. "We just didn't play well, and McMurry didn't, either. Austin College (318) played well. My two best players doubled and tripled 17.

"I really don't know why we didn't play well. It was just one of those days."
After its 318 Monday, Austin College is just six shots behind HSU and just 12 behind McMurry.
Howard Payne is in fourth place with a 960 total.

• Team leaders - McMurry 300-315-319-934; 2. Hardin-Simmons 301-313-326-940; 3. Austin College 303-325-318-946; 4. Howard Payne 300-325-339-960; 5. University of Dallas 448.
• Individual leaders - 1. Josh Long, McMurry, 74-79-73-226; 2. J.D. Rankin, Hardin-Simmons, 73-77-77-227; 3. Jason Hutt, McMurry, 70-78-80-228.
• McMurry - Josh Long 74-79-73, Jason Hutt 70-78-80, Greg Sigler 78-79-87, Regan King 78-81-79, Ryan King 85-79-90.
• Hardin-Simmons - J.D. Rankin 73-77-77, Paul Briggs 74-87-81, Corbin Edmondson 79-76-79, Doug Hand 75-78-91, Jason Whatley 80-82-89.
• Austin College - Keith Strickland 78-82-78, Joe Cunningham 74-80-86, Eric Montgomery 73-78-77, Christian Morgia 78-85-77, Mark Kellogg 84-93-90.
• Howard Payne - Scott Tibbitts 73-81-81, Jeff Armstreet 72-79-85, Greg Garrison 77-83, Jerad Martin 95, Jonathan Aken 78-81-84, Randy Young 91-80-89.
• Dallas - John Barry 105, Wes Colvin 113, Ronnie Teimann 108, Brian Kurts 122, Jason Pyka 135.