Tribby in Contention for Irish Creek Collegiate Crown

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – After posting its two lowest rounds of the year, the Mercer men's golf team finished Saturday in a tie for fifth place at the Irish Creek Collegiate from the Club at Irish Creek. Individually, Senior Matt Tribby sparkled on day one, posting back-to-back sub-par rounds to tie for second-place.

As a team, the Bears posted the lowest total in round one, carding a 281 to lead after the opening 18 holes. In the afternoon, Mercer recorded a cumulative team score of 291 to sit in fifth place among the 13-team field entering Sunday's final round.

"We played a lot better today," said head coach Andrew Tredway. "We just need to put together something good together tomorrow. We have to come out tomorrow with a good mindset and we'll have a good opportunity to move up."

After two rounds, Mercer with a 572 team total sits only two strokes in back of fellow A-Sun competitor Kennesaw State for fourth place at the event. Charlotte, the host team, leads the field with a two-round total of 562.

Tribby notched 11 birdies en route to his day-one total of 5-under par, 137. Kennesaw State's J.P Putnam matched Tribby at 5-under and both trail Belmont-Abbey's Joe Campbell by a single shot for the tournament lead.

"Matt figured out some things in the last few weeks and he's done a great job putting it all together," Tredway said. "It couldn't come at a better time with the A-Sun tournament around the corner. He's really close to putting together something special this weekend and if he plays aggressive tomorrow I feel he has a great shot at the title."

Freshman Matt Kocolowski fired a 1-under, 70 in round one. He followed up that performance with a 74 in the second round. Kocolowski's classmate William Meason posted a day-one total of 145 (74-71) to finish Saturday in a tie for 23rd place.

Mercer freshman Thomas Holmes needed 147 strokes on day one while senior Matt Smith finished Saturday's action with a total of 155.

The final round of action begins Sunday at 8:00 a.m