Oct. 8, 2007

LUFKIN, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack golf team rallied to shoot a two-over par 290 in the second round of the Bill Hill - Crown Classic at Crown Colony Country Club Monday afternoon to finish the day fifth with 591 (+15). SFA struggled in the opening round shooting a 301, which placed them seventh overall, but came charging back behind brilliant second-round performances from sophomore Matt Oates, and freshmen Kyle Robbins and Justin Weant.

"We really fought back and played well in the second round," said SFA head golf coach Trey Schroeder. "We made some birdies coming down the stretch which really helped us out."

After shooting a six-over 78 in the opening round, Oates battled back to record a two-under 70 to finish the day tied for 14th overall with a 148. Oates' score ties him for the top spot on the team heading into Tuesday's action.

Robbins opened the day with a five-over par 77, but in similar fashion to Oates, corrected his mistakes in the second round to record an even-par 72. Robbins is currently tied for 21st overall with a 149.

A Hallsville, Texas native, Weant cut five strokes off his opening-round 80 to record a second-round 73. Weant is currently tied with teammate Jacob Taylor for 38th overall. Taylor was the lone Lumberjack who shot significantly better in the opening round, compared to the second round of action recording an 80-73 - 153 on the day.

Freshman Michael Smith was the 'Jacks most consistent player Monday. He carded a one-over par 73, followed by a three-over 75 to finish the day tied for 14th with a 148.

"We have struggled on par-five holes in our last two tournaments," said Schroeder. "So we've really been focusing on that area of our game. I felt that we played smarter today and finished the day seven-under on par fives as a team, which is a vast improvement."

The Lumberjacks return to action Tuesday morning to close out the 2007 Bill Hill - Crown Classic. SFA will tee off on the front nine at 8 a.m.

-SFA-

2007 Bill Hill - Crown Classic
Crown Colony Country Club - Lufkin, Texas
Oct. 6, 2007
Team	                        Score
1. Wichita State	        276-281 - 557 (-19)
2. UMKC	                        290-291 - 581 (+5)
3. Oklahoma Christian Univ.	286-301 - 587 (+11)
4. Oklahoma City Univ.	        287-302 - 589 (+13)
5. SFA	                        301-290 - 591 (+15)
6. Central Arkansas	        299-298 - 597 (+21)
7. Oral Roberts	                305-299 - 604 (+28)
8. Texas-Pan American	        305-306 - 611 (+35)
9. McNeese State	        298-314 - 612 (+36)
10. Northwood Univ.	        319-302 - 621 (+45)