Blue Raiders weather tough conditions at Championships

Sophomore Chas Narramore fires out of a bunker on the 18th hole. Narramore is tied for third, two shots off the lead at the Sun Belt Championships. (Bradley Lambert)

ORLANDO, Fla. - If the Magnolia Golf Course at the Walt Disney World Complex already was not tough enough for the field at the Sun Belt Conference Championships, then the weather conditions made sure it was a tough task for competitors Monday.

· Photos: Round One Gallery

Middle Tennessee shot a 10-over 298 and is 13 shots off the remarkable pace set by New Orleans on the opening day of the 54-hole event. The Blue Raiders' showing places them in fifth place overall, but just two shots out of second.

That New Orleans is leading the tournament is no shock; however, the 3-under 285 the Privateers shot was somewhat startling on a day when many believed the course would be the biggest winner considering the six teams teeing off faced temperatures in the 40s and whipping winds that gusted up to 30-plus miles per hour.

"The New Orleans score is unbelievable. I don't know what type of conditions they played in, but I do know the conditions we faced," Middle Tennessee head men's golf coach Johnny Moore said. "They played later in the day and had less wind but it really doesn't matter because they put up a great score, they really did. New Orleans has set the bar so we have to go out and do our job."

Sophomore standout Chas Narramore continued his outstanding breakout season with a 1-under 71, which is tied for third overall and two shots out of first.

"Chas Narramore's 71 is an outstanding round of golf," Moore said. "He didn't have a lot of help at the back of the lineup and they didn't play all that bad. I'm not disappointed in our effort because I thought we did a good job, overall."

Narramore leads the field in birdies (5) and par-5 scoring at 3-under. The Kingston, Tenn., native opened play with five straight pars before dropping birdies on two of the next three holes. He was 1-under on the front and played even on the back.

"Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the round," said Narramore, who is rated fourth individually in the Southeast Region. "I would like to have a couple shots back but, overall, it was pretty good. We have our work cut out for us, but I know this team is capable of doing what it takes to make up the difference."

Murfreesboro native Spencer Provow was Middle Tennessee's second-leading scorer Monday with a 3-over 75. He was 3-over on the front but rallied to shoot par on the back nine and help keep the Blue Raiders within striking distance.

Freshmen Craig Smith and Kent Bulle are tied for 22nd with a 4-over 76. Both players stood firm in their first SBC Championship and finished strong to aid the Blue Raiders' scoring. Sophomore Rick Cochran is tied for 39th with a 78 after the first day of competition.

The Blue Raiders will resume action looking to make up ground Tuesday morning, and Moore is quick to warn that Middle Tennessee doesn't have to try to win the tournament on the second day - just make up ground.

"If you are going to contend you have to get in position (Tuesday)," Moore said. "You are not going to catch New Orleans Tuesday, but you have to stay in position. You can't play them, you have to play the course."

Sun Belt Conference Golf Championships
First Round Scores
Walt Disney World's Magnolia Golf Course
Orlando, Fla.
1 New Orleans 285
2 North Texas 296
3 Louisiana-Lafayette 297
Denver 297
5 Middle Tennessee 298
6 Western Kentucky 303
7 South Alabama 304
8 Troy 307
9 Louisiana-Monroe 308
Arkansas State 308
11 Florida Atlantic 311
12 UALR 318

MT Team Scores
5 Middle Tennessee 298
T3 Chas Narramore 35-36 71
T15 Spencer Provow 39-36 75
T22 Craig Smith 39-37 76
T22 Kent Bulle 36-40 76
T39 Rick Cochran 39-39 78