By BRIAN TYNES

Sports Writer

After a difficult second round, Tech's golf team fell to an 11th-place finish at the South Alabama Fall Beach Golf Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Gulf Shores Country Club in Gulf Shores, Ala.

In the first round, four of five Bulldogs shot in the seventies to give the team a 302 for the round, but only Derek Busby shot under 80 for the second round, as Tech posted 314 as a team.

Tech's head coach Dr. Jean Hall said the decline in success from round to round was due to insufficient physical condition.

"That's been a pattern that we've had all year," Hall said. "I don't think we're in the physical shape we need to be in."

Hall said now that the fall season is over the team will increase its workout schedule from two mornings a week to five mornings a week to strengthen their weakness.

Busby, a junior from Tallulah, led the Bulldogs after two rounds and was tied for 23rd overall with a 149.

Jason Jenkins was tied for 44th with a 155.

Logan Riester and Chad Carter both tied for 48th with a 156. Neil Carter closed out the team placing 65th with a 169.

Ben Pullin played as an individual and was in 64th place after shooting 167 through the two rounds.

Busby continued to lead the Bulldogs in the third round when he shot a 1-over par 73 to finish in a tie for 13th place in individual play with a 6-over 222 total.

As a team, Tech finished the tournament at 60-over after shooting 924.

The University of Louisville took the tournament with an 873. The University of Texas-Arlington, the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Louisiana-Monroe finished with 874, 876 and 883, respectively.

The University of Eastern Carolina and the University of South Alabama tied for fifth with an 893.

Preston Smith did not play in the tournament due to a separated shoulder, and Tyler Trichell was held out due to non-golf related issues.

However, Hall expects both to return for spring competition, beginning in February.