March 29, 2009
AWENDAW, S.C. (UCFAthletics.com) - The 15th-ranked UCF men's golf team opened up competition at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Sunday, and the Knights (291, +7) are tied for fifth after one round of play. UCF is five strokes behind first-place Augusta State (286, +2).
Play at the three-day, three-round event will resume Monday. UCF is currently ahead of several ranked squads at the 15-team tournament, including No. 5 Clemson. The Tigers are ninth at 295 (+11).
Three UCF players are in the top-25 of the individual standings after 18 holes. Junior Simon Ward (County Monaghan, Ireland) carded a 1-under 70 and is tied for 12th. Senior David Johnson (Palm Bay, Fla.) is tied for 11th (72, +1) and redshirt freshman Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) is tied for 24th at 3-over 74.
The tournament is the first for UCF since the Knights claimed the team title at the Rio Pinar Invitational in Orlando in late February.
The Knights are tied with No. 14 South Carolina in the team standings. No. 13 NC State and LSU are tied for third at 289 (+5).
Augusta State's Janne Kaske leads the field at 4-under 67.
UCF freshman Blayne Barber (Lake City, Fla.) is tied for 37th after posting a 4-over 75. Sophomore Jed Dirksen (Hampton, Iowa) is also in action for the Knights. He is tied for 68th (80, +9).
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Team Leaders
1. Augusta State 286 (+2)
2. Virginia 288 (+4)
T3. NC State 289 (+5)
T3. LSU 289 (+5)
T5. UCF 291 (+7)
T5. South Carolina 291 (+7)
UCF Individuals
T6. Simon Ward 70 (-1)
T11. David Johnson 72 (+1)
T24. Brad Schneider 74 (+3)
T37. Blayne Barber 75 (+4)
T68. Jed Dirksen 80 (+9)