AWENDAW, S.C. -- Furman's Clark Akers (-7) fired an opening round 65 to lead the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate by two strokes Sunday at the par 72, 7,220 yard Bulls Bay Golf Club in Awendaw, S.C.
A junior from Nashville, Tenn., Akers teed off on No. 10 and posted birdies on No. 11 and No. 12 to turn at 2-under. He went on a tear on the front nine, birdieing No. 2 and No. 3, then recording an eagle on the par-5 No. 4. Akers tallied a final birdie on No. 6 for a team-high five birdies then parred out to complete the flawless round. He holds a one-stroke lead over Matthew Doyle (-6) of Elon, who shot a 66 to sit at 6-under.
The Paladins (-9) are in third place entering Monday's second round after finishing with three players in the top 38. Junior Harris Barth (-3) is tied for 11th after shooting a 69 with three birdies on the front, while senior Trey Diehl (-1) carded an even 72 with a birdie on No. 4 to tie for 38th.
Senior Will Morlan (+1) is tied for 54th after recording a 73 with four birdies, and freshman David Oliver, IV, (+3) scored a 76 with birdies on No. 2 and No. 5, tying for 76th.
No. 39 Purdue (-13) leads the tournament by two shots over Coastal Carolina (-11). The Chanticleers sit just two strokes ahead of Furman (-9), while N.C. State (-7) and Elon (-7) are tied for fourth. Hootie at Bulls Bay co-hosts College of Charleston (-6) and 18th-ranked South Carolina (-6) are tied for sixth. The Paladins lead SoCon foes East Tennessee State (-2 - T12th place) and Western Carolina (-2 - T14th place).
The 54-hole tournament continues on Monday with teams teeing off of No. 1 and No. 10 starting at 9 a.m. Furman will tee off on No. 1 beginning at 10:12 a.m. and will play in a group with Purdue and Coastal Carolina. Tuesday's final round is set to begin at 8 a.m.
Admission is free and fans are welcome. Results and live tournament scoring are available via https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/234328/scoring/team.
3 Furman 278 -9
1st Clark Akers 65 -7
11th Harris Barth 69 -3
38th Trey Diehl 72 E
54th Will Morlan 73 +1
76th David Oliver IV 76 +4
