Just one day after head coach Chris Saltmarsh identified a quick start as the focal point to any potential success, No. 22 Florida Tech turned in a program-best eight-under-par 280 to stake its claim atop the leaderboard following round one of the Sunshine State Conference Championship Sunday afternoon. (Image by JC Ridley)
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Just one day after head coach Chris Saltmarsh identified a quick start as the focal point to any potential success, No. 22 Florida Tech turned in a program-best eight-under-par 280 to stake its claim atop the leaderboard following round one of the Sunshine State Conference Championship Sunday afternoon.
Joe Ellis
The Florida Tech lineup proved potent from top to bottom, as three Panthers are currently among the top-10, but the performance of the day belonged to sophomore Joe Ellis.
Cracking the lineup for the first time all season, Ellis lit up RedTail Golf Club for a five-under-par 67, finishing the opening round in a tie for first.
The Hampshire, England native recorded the day’s second-most birdies with six, in comparison to only a single bogey on No. 8.
Chris Saltmarsh
“Joe’s been on the verge of playing good golf,” said Saltmarsh.
“Last year he was one of our more consistent guys, and he knows how to shoot a low number. He’s worked so hard to get to this point, and he feels very comfortable with his golf swing now. That was proven today, and he earned it.”
Ryan CarterBrandon Lau
In addition to Ellis, seniors Ryan Carter and Brandon Lau completed first-round action in a tie for sixth and ninth, respectively. Carter jumped out to four-under-par on the front nine, before rounding out the back with eight pars and a double bogey.
Fourth in scoring among his own team, Ray Badenhorst was no slouch either, carding an even-par 72.
Despite the early lead, Saltmarsh doesn’t believe any added pressure will affect his team.
“Any time you have the lead you’re going to have a little pressure added on,” said Saltmarsh.
“I think the biggest thing the guys have to realize is that they performed well for one round against some of the best teams in the country, and tomorrow’s just another day.”
“The goal for tomorrow is to win the round, and play to the best of our ability. If we do that, we’ll put ourselves in a position to keep leading and see what happens down the stretch,” said head coach Chris Saltmarsh.
Lynn lurks just four strokes behind the Panthers after posting a collective four-under-par 284.
