The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Men's Golf Program had won an amazing 10 straight NAIA tournaments coming into this week as they headed to Tennessee to take part in the Lee University Invitational.  Unfortunately, a tough first round put the Patriots in the middle of the pack, but they were able to bounce back in the 2^ndround to come away with a 3^rdplace finish.    

In the first round of play, the Patriots found themselves in the middle of the pack at the Lee Invitational as they shot a team score of 315, tying them for 7^thout of 13 teams. 

Fredrik Lindblom (Stockholm, Sweden) led the way for the Patriots on day one shooting three over par (+3).  Following Lindblom was Alastair Tidcombe (Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada) shooting a first round 79 (+7).  Matt Walton (Lancashire, United Kingdom) ended day one with an eight over par (+8) round of 80.  Aaron Watkins (Harlan, KY) followed closely behind Walton shooting an opening round 81 (+9).  Niclas Rigbrandt (Nykoping, Sweden) rounded out the team shooting a first round 85 (+14).  Stuart Balcombe (Clevedon, United Kingdom) and Eric Hodgson (Canton, GA) also participated as individuals in the tournament.  Balcombe finished day one shooting a 77 (+5) while Hodgson shot a first round 80 (+8).  

Day two was much better for the Patriots, but the lead by Tennessee Wesleyan was just a bit too much to overcome.  Lindblom shot a 2^ndround 74 to finish at 149 (+5) and tied for 8^thin the tournament.  Watkins shaved 11 strokes off his day one total for a 2^ndround 70 to finish at 151 (+7) and tied for 12^thplace.  Tidcombe also shot a day two 74 to finish at 153 (+9) to finish the tournament tied for 18^thplace.  Walton also finished tied for 18^thafter a 2^ndround 73 to finish with an overall 153 (+9). 

Rigbrandt rounded out the Patriot team shooting a final round 73 to finish with a total score of 158 (+14) and tied for 43^rdplace.  Balcombe, one of the individuals participating for UC, shot a 2^ndround 77 to finish with a total score of 154 (+10) and tied for 23^rdplace.  Hodgson did not finish his 2^ndround and was credited with a disqualification. 

Head Coach Chris Kraftick commented, "Of course we are never happy about losing, but I learned so much about my team this week.  Championship teams respond when challenged.  Monday was something I can't even explain, but for these players to pull together and shoot 290 with no one over a 74 on the day tells me all I need to know moving forward.  We got better this week in a lot of ways and that's the goal as we work toward May."

The Patriots will be back in action on March 29^thand 30^thas they will host the 19^thAnnual Southeastern Kentucky Invitational at Crooked Creek Golf Course in London, KY. 

For more information about the Patriot golf team as well as other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.