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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
TRAVIS Smith, the former Zimbabwe Junior Golf Association national team member, helped the Texas International University men’s golf side take the lead in the 2017 NCAA West/South Central Regional Tournament yesterday.
The event saw the former Borrowdale Brooke player finishing the opening round on one-over 73.
Texas, affectionately known as the TAMIU, are making their first appearance in the programme’s history and Smith and his partners are helping the College to make history.
The team is on pole position.
TAMIU are competing in a field of 20 teams from the NCAA’s West and South Central Regions.
The top five teams after three rounds will advance to the 2017 NCAA Men’s Golf National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida.
The 2017 NCAA Regional Tournament is being held at the Brookside Country Club at Stockton in California.
The second round of the tournament was played under sunny skies with a light breeze.
Freshman Parker Holekamp led TAMIU into the second round, shooting a two-under 70 after birdies on hole 16, 17, and 18 placing him inside the Top 20 overall at 14th.
Senior Stevie Martinez fired a one-under 71, sitting on one-under after 36 holes.
Martinez sits in a tie for 48th overall together with another senior Smith.
Smith was a member of the Zimbabwe national junior team and won the Tri-nations Tournament three times (2012, 2013 and 2014).
He was the second-ranked junior in Africa. He was the Club Champion in 2012, tying the scoring record of 63.
Overally, he is a 15-time winner on the Zimbabwe Junior Tour.
Online Reporter