Blue Raiders finish 5th at SBC; Green closes career with personal-best finish

Kenny Green, a three-time National Amputee Golf Champion, turned in his career-best effort on the collegiate level to tie for seventh at the SBC Championships. (MT)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Middle Tennessee men's golf team, behind a career effort from senior Kenny Green, turned in its best finish at the Sun Belt Conference Championships since 2001. The Blue Raiders had a 54-hole total of 896 to finish fifth, just two strokes out of fourth and four strokes from third.

"I am not disappointed at all," Head Coach Johnny Moore said. "We knew where we stood coming into this tournament. Only one team in the Sun Belt was ranked lower than us nationally, but as a team we came in and played well and really gave ourselves a chance at victory until the last hole of the second round. The play on the 18th on Tuesday really shot us in the foot."

Green turned in his best performance as a collegian by finishing in a tie for seventh with a 220. The Clarksville, Tenn., native's previous best finish was a tie for 16th at the ULM/Fred Marx Intercollegiate during the fall of 2003. Tied for first entering play on Wednesday, Green struggled on two holes during the round to finish with a 77.

"I am pleased with the overall performance of our team," said Green. "Maybe everyone did not shoot their lowest score, but everybody tried their hardest and we ended up the year a lot better than we started it.

"I have had the best time of my life here at Middle Tennessee," Green added. "It's sad to see it end, but I knew this day would come. I am glad my last collegiate tournament was my best."

Freshman Nick Bailes made his SBC Championship debut one to remember by finishing in a tie for 13th overall with a 222. Bailes had the team's top round on Wednesday with a 73.

"Nick Bailes was solid throughout this tournament and Kenny (Green) did more than his share to help hold us up," said Moore. "I am proud of these guys and proud of the entire team for the effort they gave down here this week. We got better and better as the season went along and that is exactly what you hope to do."

Junior Josh Nelms carded a 74 in the final round to finish with a 228 and a tie for 25th, while junior Patrick McLennan also recorded a 74 to tie for 29th with a 229.

Senior Blake Bivens rounded out the scoring with a 232 total to tie for 35th.

TEAM SCORES
1 South Alabama, U. of 296 291 290 877
2 Louisiana-Lafayette 289 297 292 878
3 Denver, U. of 299 297 296 892
4 New Orleans, U. of 295 298 301 894
5 Middle Tennessee 294 304 298 896
6 New Mexico State U. 292 317 289 898
7 North Texas, U. of 307 303 298 908
8 Western Kentucky U. 305 306 298 909
9 Arkansas-Little Rock 298 309 304 911
10 Arkansas State U. 302 306 310 918

MT SCORES
T 7 Kenny Green 71 72 77 220
T 13 Nick Bailes 73 76 73 222
T 25 Josh Nelms 75 79 74 228
T 29 Patrick McLennan 75 80 74 229
T 35 Blake Bivens 77 77 78 232