With two probable starters out with injuries, the Georgia men’s golf team was expected to struggle, despite a lofty preseason No. 3 ranking.

But no one could have predicted just how much they would struggle, as they finished tied for 10th out of 12 teams Sunday at their opening tournament – the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic – over the weekend.

The Bulldogs posted 28-over-par 892 for their three rounds on the difficult The Farm Golf Club course in Rocky Face, Ga. Tennessee won the team title, firing a 13-under-par 851 three-day team total.

“We had some highs and lows this weekend, and we have a lot of progress to make,” coach Chris Haack said of his team’s performance.

Added junior Russell Henley: “I’d say it’s not our best, and we have a lot of work to do.”

Although the Bulldogs struggled to find four solid scores all weekend, junior All-SEC performers – Henry and Harris English – excelled, each placing in a tie for 6th out of the 60-player field at 4-under-par 212, two shots back of individual medalists Darren Renwick of Tennessee and Nils Floren of Texas Tech.

“Both of those guys played really well, and, you know, unfortunately we didn’t get any help to give those guys,” Haack said of his two All-SEC stars. “But that’s kind of what we expect is for them to be at the top of the leader board, trying to win golf tournaments, and I think they can both take away a lot of positives from this week.”

Henley added: “I played pretty well the first two days. Today, I don’t think I played quite as well, but I didn’t play bad at all. I still hit the ball pretty well, but when you’re playing a hard golf course, one of the three days you’re probably going to struggle, but I’m happy with being under-par after three rounds.”

With All-SEC senior Hudson Swafford out until the spring season and sophomore Will Kropp out until the Brickyard Championships in a month with a neck injury, the Bulldogs turned to freshman Brian Carter, redshirt freshman T.J. Mitchell and redshirt junior Rob Bennett to step up.

The trio struggled in their season-opening debuts, finishing 52nd, 55th, and 60th, respectively.

“We just have to get them feeling comfortable,” Haack said of his three first-time starters. “This is a new experience for these guys, and anytime you go from one level to the next level, there’s a time element of getting comfortable.

“It’s just going to take some time and right now we can’t really be worrying about where we’re ranked. We just have to worry about getting better.”

The Bulldogs won’t have long to practice, though, as they are back in action Friday through Sunday at the Olympia Fields Invitational.