No. 2 Gulf Coast bullies field at Warrior Invitational

No. 2 Mississippi Gulf Coast's quest for a seventh victory of the 2022-23 golf season could not have gotten off to a much better start at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club. 

The Bulldogs are up by 24 shots over Northeast Mississippi and No. 9 Meridian after 18 holes of the Warrior Invitational, hosted by East Central. The final round will be played today at the course in Philadelphia.

"Keeping the ball in play off the tee was huge for us," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "I thought we putted pretty well at the top. We may not have had our best day ball-striking, but putts were falling and they were able to grind out some really, really good scores."

Gulf Coast had four of the top golfers and half the top-12, led by Jackson Wise (Fr., Pontotoc/North Pontotoc) and Chase Kaiser (So., Natchez/Cathedral). The both shot 4-under 68s and are two shots up of a threesome including teammates Will Burnham (Fr., Jackson/Jackson Prep) and Kyle Davidson (Fr., Kyalami, South Africa/St. Peter's College). 

Andrew Zielinski (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) and Kemit Spears (So., Gulfport/Homeschool) are tied for eighth at 2-over. 

"Jackson came out of the gate hot," Thornton said. "He made four birdies in the first five holes. He really rolled the ball on the greens better than anybody on the course today."

Wise bogeyed No. 6 but then made eagle on No. 9. He had nine straight pars on the back nine.

Kaiser had three birdies on the front nine and made the turn at 2-under. He added birdies at 16 and 18 for his final score.

"He did not hit the ball particularly well today but was able to keep himself in the correct position in spite of that," Thornton said. "When he had the opportunity to make some birdies, he was able to execute."

The Bulldogs will be back on The Oaks course tomorrow for a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

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