CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - First-year Middle Tennessee golf coach Whit Turnbow believes his young team is ready to go head-to-head with the country's top programs.
His players backed his belief on the first day of the 2007 fall season as Middle Tennessee shot 5-under through the first two rounds at the 2007 Scenic City Invitational and is tied for third entering the final round at the Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga.
The loaded field at the 17-team Scenic City Invite features five of the nation's top 45-ranked teams in the final Golfstat rankings last season.
Charlotte (25-under 543) is clinging to a four-stroke lead over host Tennessee Chattanooga, with Middle Tennessee, Oklahoma and LSU tied for third at 5-under 563 through the first two rounds.
"I'm pleased with the way we came out," Turnbow said. "These guys want a chance to play with the best and that's what they have playing with Charlotte and Chattanooga in the final grouping, and LSU and Oklahoma right there, too. It's going to be fun to be there with them."
Middle Tennessee has two individuals among the top 10 with junior Chas Narramore leading the way for the Blue Raiders at 5-under 137 which is tied for sixth overall. He shot 4-under 67 in the first round. Sophomore Craig Smith is ninth at 4-under 138.
The big story in the second round was the play of freshman Jason Millard, the Murfreesboro native who prepped at nearby Riverdale High School and was making his collegiate debut. After opening with a 5-over 76 in the first round, he answered with a 3-under 68 in the second. The 68 was tied for the fourth lowest score of the second round. He is tied for 36th overall.
"(Millard) was so nervous this morning, he didn't know where he was and that's to be expected," Turnbow said. "When he made the turn from round one to round two I told him he had one under his belt now so there are no more excuses. He went out and played a great round. The future is very bright for him."
Senior Nick Bailes is tied for 44th and sophomore Kent Bulle is tied for 76th entering Tuesday's final round.
Scenic City Invitational
Thru 2 rounds
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Council Fire Golf Club
Team Scores
1 Charlotte 272-271=543 -25
2 Tennessee-Chattanooga 272-275=547 -21
T3 Middle Tennessee 281-282=563 -5
T3 LSU 277-286=563 -5
T3 Oklahoma 277-286=563 -5
6 Southeastern Louisiana 277-286= 567 -1
7 Akron 283-288=571 +3
8 Mississippi State 283-288=575 +7
9 Furman 291-289=580 +12
T10 Mississippi 281-300=581 +13
T10 South Florida 290-291=581 +13
12 Virginia Commonwealth 290-293=583 +15
13 Western Carolina 298-287=585 +17
T14 Louisiana Tech 286-290=596 +18
T14 Southern Mississippi 295-291=586 +18
16 Francis Marion 294-297=591 +13
17 Mercer 300-299=599 +31
MT Individual Scores
T6 Chas Narramore 67-70=137 -5
9 Craig Smith 68-70=138 -4
T36 Jason Millard 76-68=144 +2
T44 Nick Bailes 72-74=146 +4
T76 Kent Bulle 74-77=151 +9
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