Senior Clark Akers and sophomore Ludvig Josefsson each scored a one-under-par 70 to tie for 11th place, leading the Furman men’s golf team in the opening round of the Southern Conference Championship at Solina Golf Club in West Columbia, South Carolina, on April 27.
The performance by Akers and Josefsson puts them four shots behind individual leaders Nathan Trodd of Mercer and Camden Braidech of Chattanooga, who both carded an opening-round score of five-under-par 66. The Paladins finished the day with a team total of one-over-par, placing them fifth overall in the tournament standings.
Akers began his round with a birdie on hole three and eagled the par-6 sixth hole. He added three more birdies on the back nine. Josefsson made birdies at holes six, eleven, twelve, and seventeen. Sophomore David Oliver IV shot even par to tie for 15th place after recording four birdies during his round. Senior Harris Barth finished with a score of three-over-par (74), tying for 28th after making two birdies. Senior Zach Frazer recorded a six-over-par (77) with three birdies to end tied for 32nd.
Chattanooga leads the tournament at nine-under-par, followed by Western Carolina at four-under-par. East Tennessee State is third at two-under-par while Samford sits fourth at one-under-par—two strokes ahead of Furman.
The second round begins Tuesday morning with Furman scheduled to start on hole ten alongside Mercer. The winner of this championship will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional tournament; additionally, the top individual will also earn automatic regional qualification. Live scoring is available online and admission is free.
