Campbell University leads PGA Jones Cup by two shots after first day

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Defending Champion Campbell University (287) of Buies Creek, North Carolina, leads New Mexico State University (289) by two shots at the end of Tuesday's first round of the 14th Jones Cup, which is being played at PGA Golf Club. At 292, Clemson University and Ferris State University are tied for third, while the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (294) is alone in fifth place, seven shots back. 

 

The 36-hole event concludes on Wednesday on the Wanamaker Course, with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

 

Campbell has won a record four Jones Cup titles. The Camels also have their sights set on back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Coastal Carolina in 2004 and ’05.

 

Campbell's squad is equal parts talented and inexperienced. Robert Bose, who fired a 73 on Tuesday, has played in two Jones Cups, but none since 2012, when Campbell won its third title. Campbell's other four players – Sebastian Hutman, Skylar Thompson, Alex Willey and Zachary Wood – all made Jones Cup debuts Tuesday. 

 

Ken Jones, the Director of PGA Golf Management at Campbell, acknowledges the greenness of his squad, but he's comfortable in the process in place at Campbell. 

 

"Thanks to our tournament series, I know what these kids are capable of in competition. These are consistent top performers," he said. "I told them earlier today, on our way over [to PGA Golf Club], that any one of them could post our low number today. They are all talented."

 

New Mexico State will counter Wednesday with experience as it looks to claim its first Jones Cup since winning in 2006. 

 

Josh Salmon, the Aggies' PGA Golf Management Program Specialist knows the time is now. 

 

"It's been a little while since we won," he said. "We are looking for our second. Sure, we've had some good finishes, some top-5s, but there has been a drought. This can be the year. We have the experience, the talent and everyone is feeling good about their individual game. We are excited to go out and play tomorrow. It should be a lot of fun."

 

Campbell's Alex Willey, a sophomore from Lumberton, New Jersey, posted the low individual score on Tuesday, a 67 on PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course. Nathan LeBlanc of New Mexico State carded a 69, the opening round's only other sub-70 tally.

 

After the round, which was played in a gentle wind in unseasonable hot conditions, Willey disclosed that his 67 was the lowest round he's ever posted in competition, and it "wasn't too stressful. I chipped it very well today. My longest putt was maybe 15-20 feet."

 

Tiana Jones of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Kurstyn Mills of the University of Central Oklahoma are women representing both their schools and programs this week on Florida's Treasure Coast. Jones opened with an 80, while Mills began with an 82.    

 

The PGA Jones Cup is named for the first PGA Golf Management University Program Director at Mississippi State, Dr. S. Roland Jones, who held the position from 1985 until his passing in 1997. The event provides a platform where participants can display professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie; all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf Management students.

 

All participating universities in the PGA Jones Cup are schools accredited by the PGA of America to offer the PGA Golf Management University Program for aspiring PGA Professionals. There are currently 2,284 students enrolled in the program nationwide.   

 

FIRST-ROUND SCORES

 

1. Campbell--149-138—287

Alexander Willey 35-32—67

Robert Bose 37-36—73

Skylar Thompson 39-34—73

Sebastian Hutman 38-36—74

Zachary Wood 40-35—75

 

2. New Mexico State--140-149—289

Nathan LeBlanc 32-37—69

Brett Walker 35-35—70

Cole Lorenz 36-38—74

Anthony Del Dotto 37-39—76

Redge Camacho 37-40—77

 

T3. Clemson--145-147—292

Robbie Failes 34-36—70

Alex Goss 35-37—72

Chris Gabriele 39-35—74

Nate Clark 37-39—76

Alex Totusek 39-39—78

 

T3. Ferris State--145-147—292

Ryan Laughlin 38-33—71

Tyler Nunn 35-36—71

Matthew LeGault 35-37—72

Marc Hulsether 37-41—78

Justin Haase 37-41—78

 

5. UNLV--152-142—294

Jake Dolby 38-33—71

Matt Rion 38-35—73

Phil Soo Kim 37-37—74

Erik Matthewson 39-37—76

Tyler Hering 39-39—78

 

6. Methodist--149-148—297

Nick DeFalco 37-35—72

Sean Gervais 36-36—72

Grant Gardiner 39-35—74

Josh Leddy 37-42—79

Chris Boyle 45-45—90

 

T7. Coastal Carolina--149-150—299

Michael Gress 36-37—73

Morgan Deneen 37-38—75

Jake Vaiknoras 37-38—75

Bryan Hunt 39-37—76

Joshua Schiavo-Greenly 42-42—84

 

T7. North Carolina State--151-148—299

Tyler Noske 34-36—70

Thomas Farrell 40-36—76

Ben Nelson 38-38—76

Daniel Spurling 39-38—77

Kevin Campbell 37-40—77

 

T7. Maryland Eastern Shore--150-149—299

Bryce Young 36-35—71

Norman Blanco 38-36—74

Blair Waters 37-38—75

Jesse Williams 39-40—79

Tiana Jones 41-39—80

 

10. Florida Gulf Coast--148-156—304

Austin Davenport 36-35—71

Alex Reynolds 34-40—74

Corey Weckerling 40-39—79

Turner Batdorf 38-42—80

Tanner Nipper 39-41—80

 

11. Mississippi State--156-149—305

Mack Alford 39-36—75

Keifer Clary 38-37—75

Dawson Kipniss 39-38—77

Will Stoner 40-38—78

Bobby Flanagan 39-40—79

 

12.  Florida State--154-153—307

Spencer Smith 36-37—73

Anthony King 39-37—76

Ryan Muzzonigro 41-37—78

Kyle Jackson 38-42—80

Greg Beringer 41-43—84

 

13. Sam Houston State--153-156—309

Tyler Davidson 36-40—76

Dylan Rowe 37-39—76

Jantzen Miserak 40-37—77

Spencer Dillard 40-40—80

Shane Hall 37-44—81

 

14. Central Oklahoma--157-153—310

Hayden Lyman 39-37—76

Jake Loveland 38-39—77

Mike Franko 41-37—78

Holden Crago 39-40—79

Kurstyn Mills 39-43—82

 

T15.  Nebraska--153-158—311

Nathan Zimmerman 35-37—72

Connor Lindahl 39-39—78

Jake Kuhlman 38-41—79

Brad Bailey 41-41—82

Aaron Hart 41-42—83

 

T15. Penn State--157-154—311

Gabriel Rivera 38-38—76

J. P. Pawlikowski 39-38—77

Michael Esworthy 40-39—79

Ryan Hager 40-39—79

Alex Nielan 45-42—87

 

17. Eastern Kentucky--157-158—315

Tyler Collet 37-38—75

Nathan Bratcher 38-40—78

Austin Molen 40-41—81

Robert Wolfers 42-39—81

Konnor Kimmel 41-41—82

 

18. UCCS--160-159—319

Joard Sloan 39-36—75

Ian Ott 41-39—80

Josh Kummerfeldt 41-41—82

Matthew Heckel 39-43—82

Patrick Kundracik 43-40—83

 

19. Idaho--158-165—323

Tyler Clavin 36-41—77

Sean Greenhood 38-41—79

Eric McCabe 44-39—83

Drew Carlson 40-44—84

Austin Willis 42-49—91