LAKER MEN COMPLETE SECOND ROUND AT GOLF NATIONALS

The Iowa Lakes Community College students playing in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division II golf tournament in Scottsboro, Ala., wrapped up second round action Wednesday.

The team score was 321 for the day, five strokes better than Tuesday’s round. Ross Froehlich led the team Wednesday with a 78; Tom Thompson shot a 79; Andy Soper an 80; and, Kyle Brandt an 84.

That puts Ross Froehlich and Andy Soper at 159 each, the lowest Laker scores. Tom Thompson has a two-day score of 161 and Kyle Brandt a 168.

"I thought (the team members) hung in there and played similar to yesterday," said Coach Dan Soper. "They had just a couple holes they stumbled on."

He said the young men have shot about what he expected and have supported each other in their play.

"There’s always been a little rivalry between them," said Coach Soper. "They root for each other, but there’s a bit of competition, too."

While the wind hasn’t blown as hard as it can back in Iowa, it was a bit tricky on the players because it would be blowing at 8 mph and the next minute it could be blowing at 20 mph, according to Coach Soper. The temperature got close to 90 degrees during Wednesday’s round of golf.

A longest drive contest was planned for Wednesday evening, with Ross Froehlich the likely competitor from Iowa Lakes.

Coach Soper said fans back home would be very proud of the way the Laker men have conducted themselves on the course.

"Bringing students to nationals, you don’t get tired of this," said Coach Soper. "It’s been a great experience and that’s what it’s really all about." 

As of the writing of this release, tee times for Thursday’s third round action were not available, but the men were expected to tee off early to mid-morning.

The NJCAA Men’s Division II Golf Championship is being played at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala. Par is 72 for the course. Complete results can be found at www.goosepond.org.