By KYLE ROBERTS

Contributing Sports Writer

After a rain-soaked opening day, the Bulldogs came out the following day in the shortened Arkansas State Indian Classic April 12 to shoot a cumulative score of 295 after only 18 holes to finish in ninth place for the tournament.

The first two rounds were cancelled due to heavy rains, with the final and only round played Tuesday.

"We played fairly well and were around par," Tech head golf coach Dr. Jean Hall said.

"Our lack of experience sometimes hurts us in our closing holes, and we went from being about third place to eighth place. In college golf, sometimes that's just a one to two-stroke difference."

Logan Reister shot a 72 for Tech's best individual performance and a tie for 16th place.

Jason Jenkins and Preston Smith both finished with a 73 to tie for 24th place, while Derek Busby and Chad Carter finished the tournament with a 77 and 78, respectively.

The tournament came a week after the Hal Sutton Intercollegiate Championship in Shreveport on April 5, where Tech held on for a 23-stroke victory with all five Bulldogs finishing in the top ten for individual play.

"I thought our play at the tournament was incredible," Dr. Hall said. "The guys really shot well and played great golf."

As a whole, Tech shot 283 and 286 in the first two rounds Monday before shooting a 302 Tuesday for a total of 870. Centenary was a distant second at 893.

Jenkins finished second overall in individual play with rounds of 70, 71 and 74 for a total score of 215.

Smith and Busby finished right behind with a 217 and a 219, respectively.

Reister ended in a tie for sixth place with a 221-stroke finish, while Carter rounded out the tourney for Tech with a 224 and a tie for ninth.

The Bulldogs are preparing for the WAC Tournament, which will be held at Squire Creek in Choudrant May 2-4.

"This is one of the strongest golf conferences in the nation," Dr. Hall said.

"Most, if not all of the teams, are in the top 150. So it's extremely competitive, and Squire Creek is in perfect condition.

"This is going to be a tremendous opportunity for local fans to come out and watch some of the best golf in the nation."