Men's Golf stands in fourth after two rounds at SSAC Tourney

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The Shorter University men's golf team sits in a tie for fourth place after two rounds at the 2011 Southern States Athletic Conference Championships at the Green Isle Country Club in Columbus, Ga.

The Hawks (593), ranked ninth in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, shot a team total of 301 in Tuesday's second round and currently stand 19 shots back of tournament leader William Carey (574), which followed up Monday's 286 with a 288 on Tuesday to grab a 12-stroke lead over second place Lee University.

Shorter, which entered the day in second place and only six strokes back of William Carey, must finish at least second to earn an automatic berth into the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship.

Southern Wesleyan University had produced a two-day team total of 591 and is in third place. Spring Hill College is tied with the Hawks at 593 for fourth position.

The Hawks have two individuals in the running for medalist honors after 36 holes.

Arvid Bengtson and Matt Youmans are tied for third place overall at two-under for the tournament. Bengtson has shot 72-70-144 thus far while Youmans followed up a two-under 70 on Monday with an even-par 72 on Tuesday.

The pair are just two strokes back of current leaders Corey Ward of William Carey and J.B. Eksteen of Lee, who have posted two-day totals of 140. Ward is the only player with consecutive rounds under par (69-71-140) while Eksteen has the low round of the tournament with his five-under 67 on Tuesday that thrust him into the lead.

Ethan Lambert (69-83-152) is tied for 20th, Winston Gibbs (83-78-161) is in 34th and Tyler Steptoe (81-81-162) sits in 35th to round out Shorter's roster.