Aiken, S.C. – The University of Akron men’s golf team sits in 12th place Monday after carding two rounds of 301-297 (598) at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate.

“Coming into this week, I knew we would have to really be patient with our chipping and putting around the greens,” said third year head coach Nick Goetze. “This course is very severe and requires so many delicate short shots to make saves.

"We’re improving after the winter break and I’m really proud of Jacob Patte, Lucas Murray and Scott Landreth," added Goetze. "They put together crucial rounds for us today that will give us a chance to get a solid finish here.”

Senior Patte leads Akron on the greens carding a 73 and 71 (144) on the 6,617-yard, par-70 Palmetto Golf Club. Heading into round three, Patte is tied for 20th in the 90-player field.

Murray, a junior transfer, follows Patte carding a 76-71 (147) sitting in a tie for 32nd place. Three strokes behind is sophomore Landreth posting two rounds of 74-76 (150) for a 46th place tie. Freshman Cameron Simmons and sophomore Ryan Mason round out the Zips scorecard shooting a 157 (78-79) and 161 (81-80).

Hosted by the University of South Carolina Aiken, the 13th annual event features some of the top programs in all of college golf with Clemson, Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, College of Charleston, East Carolina, Elon, Francis Marion, Furman, Georgia Southern, Liberty, Mercer, Presbyterian, UNC Wilmington, Winthrop, Wofford and Virginia all participating in the tournament.

The third and final round will take place Tuesday beginning at 9:00 a.m