MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Furman sophomore Clark Akers (-3) fired an opening-round 69 and is in fifth place following Monday's play at the General Hackler Championship, which is being hosted by Coastal Carolina Monday through Wednesday at the par 72, 7, 233 yard The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Akers, who is playing as an individual, teed off on No. 10 and birdied No. 12 and No. 16 but doubled No. 18 to turn at even par. He added a birdie on No. 4 then eagled the par-5 No. 8 to finish the day at 3-under. He sits two strokes back of leaders John Houk (-5) of Chattanooga and Walker Isley (-5) of UNC Wilmington, who each carded a 67 in round one.
Sophomore Harris Barth (-1) is tied for 11th. He birdied No. 16 to make the turn at even par then posted consecutive birdies on No. 4 and No. 5 and added a birdie on No. 8 to conclude the round with a 1-under 71 and a team-high four birdies.
Junior Will Morlan (+1) posted a 1-over 73 with birdies on No. 4 and no. 17 to tie for 22nd, while seniors Ross Funderburke (+2) and Walker Crosby (+2) are tied for 33rd after each recorded a 74 in round one. Funderburke birdied No. 4 and No. 15, and Crosby recorded back to back birdies on No. 3 and No. 4 and a birdie on No. 15. Junior Trey Diehl (+13) is in 80th place after shooting an 85 with birdies on No. 3 and No. 4.
No. 33 Chattanooga (-2) and 48th-ranked Louisville (-2) are tied for the team lead. No. 15 East Tennessee State (-1) is one stroke behind the leaders in third place, while College of Charleston (E) and UNC Wilmington (E) are tied for fourth. Liberty (+2) sits in fifth, followed by Furman (+4), which is in seventh place in the 14-team field.
The 54-hole tournament continues Tuesday at 9 a.m. with teams teeing off on No. 1 and No. 10. The Paladins will tee off of No. 1 starting at 9 a.m. in round two and will play in a group with Coastal Carolina and North Florida.
Admission to the tournament is free and fans are welcome. Results and live tournament scoring are available via http://www.FurmanPaladins.com and http://www.golfstat.com.
7 Furman 292 +4
5 Clark Akers (I) 69 -3
T11 Harris Barth (3) 71 -1
T22 Will Morlan (1) 73 +1
T33 Ross Funderburke (2) 74 +2
T33 Walker Crosby (5) 74 +2
80 Trey Diehl (4) 85 +13
