Posted: Sep 19, 2015

Gulf Coast in second at second MACJC event

Mississippi Gulf Coast finds itself in a familiar position in the second MACJC golf event of the year.

The Bulldogs trail Meridian at Shiloh Ridge Golf Club in Corinth. Northeast is the host team.

"We're seven back. Meridian just had a stellar round today, a 274," Gulf Coast coach Tommy Snell said. "They shot 14-under, and this golf course isn't that easy. We played well. We could play better, so tomorrow we'll just have to put together another good round like we did last week."

The Bulldogs were eight back of the Eagles last week at the event hosted by Hinds, then stormed back to win by three shots.

Freshman Colin Troxler led the Bulldogs with a 66, two behind Meridian's Lance Strickland. His 6-under was bogey-free until the final hole, when he missed a short par putt.

"I played solid," he said. "I made a lot of putts, everything inside of 5 feet except for the last hole."

George Kawell is in fourth, two more shots back at 4-under. Jonathon Newman's plus-1 is good for 15^th place, with Phillip Hickam another shot back. Hickam is tied with Wyatt Adkison, who is playing as an individual.

The nine-team field completes play Sunday with another 18 holes.

"We've just got to stay patient and make birdies," Troxler said. "If they make mistakes, we have to capitalize on them."

Team scores

Meridian 274 (-14)

Gulf Coast 281 (-7)

East Central 286 (-2)

Copiah-Lincoln 295 (+7)

Northwest 303 (+15)

East Mississippi 307 (+19)

Hinds 310 (+22)

Itawamba 322 (+34)

Northeast 325 (+37)