May 26, 2009
TOLEDO, Ohio (UCFAthletics.com) - Competing against the nation's best at the NCAA Championship at the Inverness Club, the 16th-ranked UCF men's golf team is 17th after Tuesday's opening round. As a team, the Knights recorded a 16-over 300.
UCF is just three shots back from a spot in the top 10. Thirty teams plus five individuals are participating in the event.
After carding an even-par 71, junior Simon Ward (County Monaghan, Ireland) is tied for ninth individually. Ward was one of just 15 competitors in the 155-golfer field who had a par or better round. He registered a pair of birdies.
Freshman Blayne Barber (Lake City, Fla.) is tied for 56th at 75 (+4). UCF played in rainy conditions during its round.
The second round is set for Wednesday and the Knights will tee off at 12:12 p.m. Third round play is Thursday, followed by two days of match play. The top eight teams after stroke play advance to match play.
Top-ranked Georgia and No. 4 Oklahoma State lead the field after 18 holes. The teams are tied at 4-over 288. Chattanooga (292, +8) is third. Illinois and TCU are ahead of the Knights, tied for 15th at 15-over 299.
UCF junior Devin Spies (Sarasota, Fla.) and redshirt freshman Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) are tied for 93rd at 77 (+6). After posting a 7-over 78, senior David Johnson is tied for 117th.
Three golfers - Jonathan Bowers (Northwestern), Scott Langley (Illinois) and Matt Hill (NC State) - are tied for first at 2-under 69.
Seventh-ranked Georgia Tech (301, +17) is tied for 18th with Iowa, one stroke behind UCF.
The Knights are competing in the NCAA Championship for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 1992. UCF advanced to the championship by claiming the title at the NCAA Regional in Sorrento, Fla., on May 16.
On Tuesday, the Knights, along with Texas Tech and Oregon, began the event by teeing off at 7 a.m.
Toledo is hosting the tournament. Live statistics are available at Golfstat.com.
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. Oklahoma State 288 (+4)
Georgia 288 (+4)
3. Chattanooga 292 (+8)
4. Washington 293 (+9)
San Diego 293 (+9)
17. UCF 300 (+16)
UCF Individuals
T9. Simon Ward 71 (E)
T56. Blayne Barer 75 (+4)
T93. Devin Spies 77 (+6)
Brad Schneider 77 (+6)
T117. David Johnson 78 (+7)