JORDAN FINDLAY NOT IN EAST

TENNESSEE STATE TEAM AS

THEY FINISH FIFTH IN

PUERTO RICO CLASSIC

Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay was not a member of the East Tennessee State University team of five who finished fifth of 15 in the Puerto Rico Classic college tournament at the Rio Mar Country Club, Rio Grande at the weekend.

Top performer for coach Fred Warren's team was Gareth Shaw, pictured right, from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. He finished joint fourth on 211 over the par-72, 6902yd River Course. A senior year student, Gareth will complete his fourth and final year in May-June.

He had rounds of 70, 69 and 72 to finish seven shots behind the five-stroke winner, Matthew Swan (Alabama) (66-71-67 for 12-under-par 204).

Next up for East Tennessee State came freshman student Rhys Enoch, Welsh-born but from Cornwall. Rhys scored 71, 76 and 71 for 218 and a share of 20th place.

Team-mate Seamus Power, a second-year student from Waterford, Ireland, finished joint 31st with 75, 77 and 68 for 220.

Freshman Simon Doherty from Belfast put together rounds of 78, 70 and 75 for 223 and a share of 43rd place.

Senior student Cian McNamara from Limerick had a disappointing tournament. He came joint 55th in a field of 56 with rounds of 74, 77 and 75 for 226.

East Tennessee State are obviously missing the star quality of Walker Cup Welshman Rhys Davies (who was born in Edinburgh, actually). He ended his four years before last summer and East Tennessee State have not yet found a successor.

Former British boys' champion Jordan Findlay, in his junior (third) year, has not been able to step up a couple of gears to fill the gap. Whether he failed a local qualifying tournament to get in the ETS team of five for the Puerto Rico trip or whether he was indisposed, is not known.
East Tennessee State (867) finished fifth of 15 teams behind winners Alabama (854).

LEADING TOTALS

Individual

Par 216 (3 x 72)

204 Matthew Swan (Alabama) 66 71 67.

209 Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State) 69 75 64.

210 Charlie Holland (Texas) 72 68 70.

211 Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) 70 69 72, Darren Blair (North Carolina State) 70 72 69.

Other scores:

218 Rhys Enoch (East Tennessee State) 71 76 71 (jt 20th).

220 Seamus Power (East Tennessee State) 75 77 68 (jt 31st).

223 Simon Doherty (East Tennessee State) 78 70 75 (jt 43rd).

226 Cian McNamara (East Tennessee State) 74 77 75 (jt 55th).

Teams

854 Alabama.

857 Oklahoma State.

861 Georgia.

863 Duke.

867 East Tennessee State.

15 teams took part.