ORLANDO, Fla. – Alex Carpenter started 2011 where he finished the 2010 season, as tournament champion, shooting a 65 (-7) on the final day of Golf Week's Spring Invitational at Reunion Resort and Arnold Palmer's Legacy Course.
Carpenter who was tied for second to start Tuesday, fired a 7 under 65 for his first tournament victory of the 2011 spring season and ninth collegiate win overall. Carpenter's surge Tuesday also helped the Wildcats finish third behind Barton College and Lynn University who shared the team title.
Players began a two-tee start off No. 1 and No. 10 as ACU was paired with Barton and Lynn in the final group off the No. 1 tee. Carpenter playing in the final group double bogeyed No. 1, but bounced back and finished with an eagle on the par 5 No. 3 to get back to even for the day.
The sophomore would then record birdies on four of five holes to make the turn for the second consecutive day. Birdies at No. 9 and No. 10 finished the week as he made birdie all three days along with the par 4 sixth and seventh on Tuesday and Monday. After birdies on the par 5 15th Carpenter would knock in an eagle to get to 7 under for the round and 13 under for the tournament.
Along with Carpenter, Cyril Bouniol pushed in six birdies to shoot 3 under on the final day and sit at even par for the tournament. Bouniol made back-to-back birdies at the turn to get to 3 under and a birdie on No. 14 put him at 4 under on the day but finished with a bogey on No. 18 for a 69 (-3) and a top 15 finish.
Tyler Sheppard and Adam Carpenter finished the scoring for the Wildcats as Carpenter improved on his back-to-back 76 the first to days to shoot even par on Tuesday and stay at 8 over for the tournament. Sheppard duplicated his second day score of 1 over 73 to finish +4 for the tournament and a top 30 finish.
The Wildcats will be back in action next week for a two-day tournament at the St. Edward's Invitational. Tournament action for ACU will begin on Monday at the Grey Rock Golf Club in Austin.
