LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Florida Southern College men's golf, ranked no. 20 in the country in the Bushnell/Golfweek DII Coaches' Poll, continued to improve at the Las Vegas Desert Classic, where the Moccasins fired off a final round-low of 286 (-2) to finish just behind host, Missouri – St. Louis at the Legacy Golf Club.
The Mocs started the day off in fifth place after finishing the first 36-holes, over the past two days, shooting a team score of 12-over before firing off a low 286 (-2) to climb three more spots on the team leaderboard. With four holes per golfer remaining, FSC was sitting at eight-under as a team and in first by seven strokes, and finished one stroke shy of the lead, with a tournament score of 874 (+10).
"I am proud of how we handled traveling across the country, playing a new course against some of the best teams in the country," said head coach Lee White. "We had to adjust for time change, altitude and different grass type than we play in the southeast. After struggling in round one, the guys really stepped up, which gave us a chance to win the tournament. The Tucker brothers both had their career best events, they were key for us this week"
Florida Southern captured key wins over top-25 programs (GCAA) at the tournament in no. 2 Arkansas Tech (7th, 883), no. 7 West Florida (8th, 884), no. 8 Oklahoma Christian (3rd, 876), no. 10 Central Missouri (T4, 878), and no. 25 Indianapolis (T4, 878).
Trailing younger brother
Clay Tucker,
Johnny Tucker used a four-under 68 over the final 18 holes to propel himself up the leaderboard 14 spots to finish tied for third at one-under, 215, on the par-72, 7,110-yard Desert Course. C. Tucker finished inside the top-10 himself with a one-over 217 following his second consecutive 71 (-1).
J. Tucker sank 10 par's and drained six birdies over his final 18 holes as he started the day off with three-straight birdies on holes four, five, and six. C. Tucker carded 10 par's as well, and had five birdies where he too, started the day off with back-to-back birdies on holes four and five.
Noah Kumar concluded play in 25
th place of the 96-player field at six-over 222 while
Sam Rogers climbed eight spots for 35
th place at eight-over 224.
Adam Alvarez wrapped up the five Mocs in the field with a 63
rd place at 231 (+15).
The 20
th-ranked Moccasins return to action next week, March 14-15 at the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga., the course for the South/Southeast Super Regional (May 5-7).
