Ohio men’s golf can’t seem to buy a break when it comes to unpleasant weather. Last week, both days of the Firestone Invitational were delayed due to a frost-covered course.
On Monday morning, it wasn’t cold temperatures that kept the Bobcats in the clubhouse, as strong winds Sunday night at the Yestingsmeier Invitational left the course littered with debris.
The start of the 54-hole tournament was delayed two hours while the grounds crew cleared the course.
“The wind definitely played a part in the tournament today,” said senior Byron Firestone. “There were shots that you would feel good about that get blown 20 yards off course.”
Unlike last week, however, the weather didn’t affect the Bobcats’ scorecards as much. Firestone finished the day tied for ninth place out of the 47 golfers.
Firestone carded a 72 in the first round, putting him five strokes behind the leader, Northern Illinois’ Nick Huggins.
Ohio coach Bob Cooley said the Bobcats’ biggest surprise was freshman Michael Engelman. He turned in a 76 in his first round of competition and finished tied for 25th with senior teammate Michael Lamping.
“Michael was a pleasant surprise today,” Cooley said. “I wanted to give some guys some opportunities that haven’t played yet this season, and he’s definitely made the most of it.”
As for the rest of the Bobcats’ roster, sophomores Andrew Mlynarski, Thomas Leech and Will Stines finished 40th, 43rd and 46th, respectively.
Because of the morning delay, second round play was suspended because of darkness Monday.
Tournament officials said the second round will continue Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. with the goal of still finishing all the tournament’s scheduled 54 holes.
tj790511@ohiou.edu
