Oct. 26, 2008
WINDERMERE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Eighteen of the nation's top men's golf teams are gathered at the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational. Throughout the tournament, members of the UCF athletics communications staff will be offering insight from the event on this page.
7:21 a.m.
Good morning from the 2008 Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational. The fifth annual event is set to begin this morning from the Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Windermere, Fla. Eighteen teams are in the field at the tournament, which is recognized as the best in college golf. The squads will play 18 holes each day, with the event set to conclude on Tuesday.
7:43 a.m.
The tournament is set to begin at 8 a.m. Each year, the event is recognized for its hospitality. This year is no different. Breakfast is currently being served. Choices on the buffet include cooked-to-order pancakes, muffins and fresh fruit.
7:51 a.m.
For live statistics during the tournament, visit:
Golfstat.com
8:09 a.m.
The tournament is underway. Texas Tech's Brian Scherer got things going, teeing off from hole No. 1. According to Weather.com, the temperature is listed at 59 degrees.
8:18 a.m.
Golfers are teeing off from holes 1 and 10. UCF booster Brent Carli is serving as the starter at hole 1. At hole 10, Erik Kohler is introducing the participants. Kohler serves as UCF's public address announcer for football, basketball and baseball games.
8:28 a.m.
For more information about the tournament, visit:
Isleworthcollegiate.com
8:37 a.m.
Sunday is shaping up to be a great day for golf. The sun is now out and the wind is coming from the north at 6 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of rain today.
8:46 a.m.
The host Knights are currently in action. Brad Schneider just teed-off from hole 1. The redshirt freshmen is one of three Knights competing in the event for the first time.
9:04 a.m.
Scores are now coming in. To host the event, UCF and the Tavistock Group partner with the Central Florida Sports Commission. The commission provides volunteers at every three holes who radio scores into the clubhouse.
9:07 a.m.
Each year, the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational includes several of the nation's premier teams. Eight of the top-10 squads in the country according to the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index are in the field, led by No. 1 Oklahoma State and No. 3 Southern Cal. Defending tournament champion Georgia is No. 4, followed by Illinois (5), Stanford (6), South Carolina (8), Texas (9) and Alabama (10).
9:22 a.m.
When he arrived at UCF in 2001, head coach Nick Clinard wanted to create a top-notch tournament for his program to host. Three years later, the inaugural edition of the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational was held. Last Wednesday, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel wrote a column describing Clinard's role in the development of the event. To read the article, visit OrlandoSentinel.com
9:37 a.m.
The tournament is organized by the Tavistock Group. The private investment company works in many sectors, including life sciences, sports teams, sporting events, luxury residential properties and financial services.
9:41 a.m.
Two hours after sunrise, the temperature is a cool 64 degrees. According to weather. com, today's high is expected to be 77.
9:59 a.m.
Players are teeing off at holes 1 and 10. The holes are next to each other, adjacent to the clubhouse. The tournament trophies are on display in between the holes.
10:03 a.m.
Oklahoma State's Rickie Fowler is currently on the putting green. Fowler was an All-America First Team pick as a freshman a year ago. He placed fourth at the Isleworth-UCF Collegiate Invitational in 2007.
10:31 a.m.
The last group to tee off - Arizona's Tarquin MacManus, Kentucky's Ben Fuqua and Southern Cal's Jamie Lovemark - just began play. The group was scheduled to tee off at 10:10 a.m.
10:44 a.m.
With all of the golfers now in action, the day is done for the tournament's resident starters. Brent Carli and Erik Kohler have been fixtures at Isleworth since the event's inception. Carli has worked four of the five previous tournaments, while Kohler has been present at all five installments. Both starters will return Monday morning.
11:06 a.m.
Each year, UCF and the Tavistock Group partner with local and national sponsors. This year's sponsor's are Aircraft Service International Group, Gatorade, Ian Poulter Design, Laser Link Golf, Niagara Water, Nike Golf, Ron Jon Surf Shop, United Medical Corporation and UPI.
11:08 a.m.
The Isleworth Golf & Country Club is located in Windermere, a small town located just southwest of Orlando. The UCF campus is about 40 minutes away from the development.
11:16 a.m.
Last year's individual champion, Harris English of Georgia, is one of eight players in action today who finished in the top 10 in 2007. English established a tournament record a year ago, posting a 205 (-11).
11:26 a.m.
The Isleworth course was designed by Arnold Palmer in 1984. Seventeen years later, Steve Smyers led a re-design. The par-72 course is 7,544 yards.
11:33 a.m.
UCF finished seventh at the event in 2007. David Johnson, who is in the field this year as a senior, tied for 16th at 216 (E).
11:45 a.m.
Dr. Mark Machuga, UCF's team chiropractor, stopped by to see the action this morning. Machuga has been affiliated with UCF Athletics since the 1980s.
11:48 a.m.
The tournament is not open to the public, but family members and friends of participants are allowed to attend the event. Spectators are not allowed inside the clubhouse, but there is a concession stand outside. Items at the stand include chicken sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs.
11:51 a.m.
The Isleworth clubhouse is filled with golf memorabilia from the country club's residents. A display with items from Master's champions Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods is located just next to the restaurant. The display contains a club and a glove from O'Meara's 1998 victory and a club and glove from Woods' 1997 title.
12:06 p.m.
It may be early, but there are only three holes on the course playing under par. Hole No. 7, which is a 573-yard par five, is currently the easiest hole at -0.67. However, players are uncovering the first few holes on the front nine are serving as a huge test. Hole No. 4 is the hardest at +0.76, No. 2 is the second most difficult at +0.59 and No. 3 ranks fourth at +0.47.
12:41 p.m.
Indiana's Jorge Campillo has separated himself a bit from the rest of the field. After a birdie on No. 1, he returned to even with a bogey on No. 4. But Campillo rebounded nicely, posting an eagle on the par-five seventh, then birdies on 10 and 11 for an overall score of -4 through 12 holes.
12:46 p.m.
As teams are making the turn, Southern California stands as the lone school under par. The Trojans are -3, ahead of second-place Alabama and Georgia (+1). But Southern Cal started on the back nine, and is now about to approach some of the toughest holes on the course based on today's statistics.
12:52 p.m.
Lunch is served. The buffet spread includes cesar salad, tomato soup, cold cuts, Cuban sandwiches and most notably, seasoned waffle fries. Desert selections include mini cheesecakes and chocolate cookies.
1:23 p.m.
Schools from seven different conferences are participating at the event. The Atlantic 10, Atlantic Coast, Big 10, Big 12, Conference USA, Pac-10 and SEC are all represented at Isleworth. The SEC leads the way with five schools- Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU and South Carolina. Charlotte is the first A-10 program to compete at the tournament.
1:40 p.m.
Through 15 holes, Indiana's Jorge Campillo leads the field at 6-under 72. Southern Cal (-4) is tops in the team standings. Group one - Brian Scherer (Texas Tech), Connor Driscoll (UCLA) and Drew Allenspach (Indiana) - has completed play.
2:06 p.m.
In five years, only two squads have claimed team titles at the event. Georgia won in 2004, 2005 and 2007. Texas claimed the crown in 2006. Both squads are in action at this year's tournament.
2:18 p.m.
Indiana's Jorge Campillo has completed the first round. He leads the field at four-under 68.
2:39 p.m.
With several of the groups done for the day, the clubhouse is packed with participants and coaches. National Football League games are airing on the many flat-screen televisions inside.
2:55 p.m.
UCF freshman Blayne Barber has turned in a solid first round. He finished the day at 73 (+1).
3:11 p.m.
Alabama, Charlotte, Indiana, LSU and UCLA are all participating in the tournament for the first time. Twelve of the 18 squads in this year's event were in action in 2007.
3:43 p.m.
Four groups are still action. Alabama (287, -1) leads the field. Indiana's Jorge Campillo and Alabama's Matthew Swan are tied for first at 68 (-4).
4:50 p.m.
Day one is complete. Jorge Campillo of Indiana and Matthew Swan lead the field at four-under 68. Alabama (287, -1) is tops in the team standings, followed by Indiana (289, +1). The host Knights are tied for 12th at 300 (+12). Round two will begin Monday at 8 a.m.