The Cat’s rising star freshman Fred Allen Meyer posted a 72-even par on Tuesday to climb 19 spots and tie for 31^st place. After being named Co-SEC Freshman of the Week, Meyer lived up to expectations when it mattered most. Increasing the quality of his play each day, Meyer proved for the second straight week he could answer the bell in the clutch.

Despite finishing 7^th overall, head coach Brian Craig gave nothing but positive feedback on his team.

“It has been a while since we played like this but there is no worry whatsoever,” Craig said. “Weaknesses were exposed and now it is time to get back to work before bouncing back at the Schenkel.”

UK’s five-man team for the invitational consisted of Cooper Musselman, David Snyder, Chip McDaniel, Stephen Stallings and Meyer. Putting the team on their backs, Musselman (sophomore) and Meyer (freshman) both saved their best for last as they both shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday’s final round.

Musselman shot two-under on the front nine and two-over on the back for a 72. Starting out the tournament with a promising 72, Musselman had an off day on Monday when he posted his worst round in his last two tournaments (79). However, his first and last round of 72 were excellent enough to earn him a tie for 28^th place and lead the Cats in scoring this week with 223.

Meyer, also with a strong Tuesday, started out blazing hot with 5 birdies and a total of 2-under on the front nine but ended up 2-over par on the back nine for a 72 as well. Prior to posting a personal-best for the tournament (72), Meyer struggled but bettered himself by the day by shooting a 77 and 75 in days one and two. Meyer tied for 31^st place with a final score of 224. 

Chip McDaniel, a sophomore, didn’t have as hot of a Tuesday due to a six-over 78. Despite a booming one-under 71 on Sunday for the team-high during the event, McDaniel declined in play for the final two days when scoring a 75 and 78, totaling 224 for the Cats and an individual tie for 31^st place with Meyer.

David Snyder, the five-man team’s only senior, was consistent this weekend with a 75, 75, and a 76 to total his score of 226 and a tie for 43^rd place. The veteran has been very consistent in back-to-back tournaments, a huge plus for this team. 

Stephen Stallings, a junior, posted scores of 76, 75, and a team-worse 8-over 80 to tie him for 63^rd place. The other veteran on this five-man squad is known for his low scoring and should be expected to post a nice comeback in his next competition.

UK had one player as an individual, Chris Meuth (sophomore), post three rounds of 78 this weekend to tie for 78^th place.

With UK finishing seventh as a team with a score of 892, Troy took home the trophy as the only team to post a team score under-par with a two-under 862. Auburn, following close behind, shot 1-over 865 as a team to take home second place. Meanwhile, University of North Carolina furthered back from the top two teams to shoot a 14-over 878 and capture third place. Following the top three were Auburn’s B team and Kennesaw State tied at fourth place and Georgia State with sixth place. 

Rising star Meyer and the rest of the team will take the course again on March 18^th. Their third spring tournament will be a three-day format on the Forest Heights Country Club’s course during March 18^th-20^th in Statesboro, Georgia.