Knights post 297 to lay 14th after Day Two!

2013 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships – Day 2 Recap

Defending national champion Oklahoma City extends its advantage to 14-strokes

May 15, 2013

By Alan Grosbach, Manager of Communications and Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. – (Individual Results | Team Results | Third Round Pairings) Fueled by three individuals in the top 10, defending national champion Oklahoma City extended its lead to 14-strokes after 36 holes at the 62nd annual NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships presented by FORE! Salem. The 2013 event is being hosted at Creekside Golf Club by the Cascade Collegiate Conference and Corban University (Ore.).

The Stars posted an even-par 288 in the second round and are a combined 8-under 568 (280-288) after 36 holes. Sondre Ronold carded his second-straight 69 to lead the team, while day one leader Anthony Marchesani and Michael Palmer finished scores of 72. The performance placed Ronold atop the leader board with a 36-hole score of 138, one stroke in front of Cal State San Marcos’ Adam Loran.

Despite cold and damp conditions to start the day, Grand View (Iowa) held its second-place position with a second round 294. The Vikings are at 6-over par through 36 holes. Mike Slavin was the lone Viking under par today despite a bogey on No. 4 and double bogey on No. 5. He currently rests in fourth-place in the individual race.
“I thought we played really well,” said Grand View head coach Chris Winkel. “We were led by really good play out of Mike Slavin, which really paced us. Six-over par today in the conditions we played in I thought was pretty good.”

Rounding out the remainder of the top five teams is Bellevue (Neb.) and Cal State San Marcos tied for third at 11-over, while Johnson & Wales (Fla.) is fifth at 15-over. Cal State San Marcos matched Oklahoma City for the best team score of round two with an even-par 288.

Davis Garner of Bellevue (Neb.) highlighted the individual performances for round two with a low-round 4-under par 68, which ties Marchesani’s first round score for the lowest single-round total by an individual at this year’s championships. The senior Washington Terrance, Utah native’s bogey free round, included an eagle on the par-five fourth. The score vaulted moved Garner into a tie for sixth after finishing day one in 39th position.

“I got off to a good start after making a five-to-six footer on one,” said Bellevue’s Garner. “I felt really comfortable all day despite the rain. I made a lot of good par saves today and didn’t really get myself into any trouble. It feels good, but there are still two days left. I still have to keep grinding, keep playing. It’s my last tournament so I have to enjoy it more than anything.”
Rounding out the top five individuals through 36 holes are Ronold (69-69—138), Loran (70-69—139), Marchesani (68-72—140), Slavin (70-71—141) and Tyler Christians of Grand View (Iowa) (70-72—142).

The third round will begin play on Thursday at 7 a.m. PDT with Marian (Ind.), Corban (Ore.) and Davenport (Mich.) starting on No. 1. Back-nine action tees off with Central Methodist (Mo.) and Blue Mountain (Miss.) at 7:20 a.m. For complete third round pairings, click here.

For complete schedule and results for the 2013 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships, click here.