HERSHEY, Pa. – As mundane as it seems, Barry is just trying to play it stroke by stroke. So far, it’s working for the No. 2-ranked Buccaneers men’s golf team, who hold a 10-stroke lead over Nova Southeastern after two rounds at the NCAA Division II National Championships.
“All we’re trying to do is hit one shot at a time,” Barry coach Jimmy Stobs said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do all year.”
Barry shot the low round (288) for the second straight day of the stroke play competition on the par-71, 6,984-yard Hershey Country Club course. The Buccaneers’ two-round total of 4-over 572 topped that of Nova’s 582 on a day where course demands increased. Florida Southern is third at 19-over 587 entering Wednesday’s final round of stroke play. South Carolina-Aiken is fourth, 18 strokes behind the Bucs, and Lynn is fifth at 591.
The top eight teams advance to match play Thursday in a bracket-style playoff featuring a player-vs.-player format. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played Thursday with the match play finals set for Friday.
“The golf course played real hard,” Stobs said. “We had some silly bogeys and double bogeys. As the scores are indicating, it’s a tough golf course.”
Barry senior Marcus Segerstrom was ready for the challenge, responding with a 1-under 70 in the second round. Segerstrom had three birdies and two bogeys in a steady round that moved him six spots up the leaderboard into a tie for third place with teammate Adam Svensson and Grand Canyon’s Jimmy Kozikowski at 1-under 141.
“Marcus played real solid,” Stobs said.
Svensson, a freshman, shot 2-over 73, and along with Segerstrom, is three strokes behind leader Rob Damschen of California State University-Stanislaus. Damschen shot a 3-under 68 Tuesday, and stands at 4-under 138. He has a one-stroke lead over South Carolina Aiken’s Matt Atkins, who shot 69. Svensson had four birdies and six bogeys in the second round.
Both Segerstrom and Svensson have eight birdies, which trail Kozikowski and Nova's Hunter O'Mahoney's nine for the tournament lead.
Barry junior Scott Smyers ripped off four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the front nine before settling for four bogeys and another birdie on the back nine to finish even for the day. Smyers, who has seven birdies in the two rounds, is tied with Nova’s Ricardo Celia for ninth at 2-over 144.
Bucs junior Jared Dalga was 3-over in a round he paired three birdies with four bogeys and a double-bogey for a 74. He is tied for 15th with six others. The top 15 golfers following Wednesday’s final round of stroke play earn All-American honors.
Barry senior Simon Forsslund shot 77 behind four birdies, five bogeys, a double- and a triple-bogey. He is the only Buccaneer with an eagle thus far in the tournament. He sits in an eight-way tie for 39th at 151.
“We’re trying to get better every day,” Stobs said.
Barry will tee off at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday from the first hole.