Sept. 21, 2010
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF men's golf team continued its strong start to the season Tuesday as the Knights claimed the team title at the Adams Cup of Newport at the Newport National Golf Club. Led by a first-place finish by freshman Greg Eason (Leicestershire, England), UCF concluded the three-round, 17-team tournament at 868 (+4), 18 shots ahead of second-place West Florida.
The Knights recorded a 1-under 288 as a team during Tuesday's final round. Eason was one of three UCF players who finished in the top-10 individually.
"This was a fantastic performance," said UCF head coach Bryce Wallor. "We played in very difficult conditions with high winds and very fast greens. It was a great team effort, especially today. We had a little bit of a lead entering the final round, and the guys played solid to pull away."
In only his second collegiate event, Eason finished at 214 (-2). Eason carded a 1-under 71 on the final 18. His individual title is the second of the year for the Knights as junior Connor Arendell (Cape Coral, Fla.) claimed medalist honors at the team's first event of the fall, the Wolf Run Intercollegiate in Indiana.
"Greg is obviously a very talented golfer," Wallor said. "He is a very good student. He has been in school for just a couple of weeks. For him to be balancing his academics and his athletics, that shows a lot about him as a person and as an athlete."
The tournament title is the third for the Knights since Wallor took over the program prior to last season.
Senior Nuno Henriques (Funchal, Portugal) and sophomore Reid Martin (Mukilteo, Wash.) both made their season debuts in Rhode Island and tied for fourth individually at 219 (+3). Henriques registered a 71 (-1) on Tuesday, and Martin posted a 72 (E).
The Knights entered Tuesday's final round in first, nine shots ahead of second-place West Florida.
Arendell tied for 17th at 8-over 224. Fellow junior Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) also posted a top-25 finish for the Knights. He ended the tournament at 225 (+9).
The Adams Cup of Newport served as a homecoming for Wallor. He is an Ocean State native who attended Rhode Island where he was a member of the Rams' men's golf squad from 1993-98.
The event was the second of the fall for the Knights. UCF will return to action on Oct. 10 when play begins at the Prestige at PGA WEST in California.
Team Results
1. UCF 295-286-287=868 (+4)
2. West Florida 298-292-296=886 (+22)
3. Central Connecticut State 300-298-295=893 (+29)
4. Connecticut 298-301-298=897 (+33)
Towson 309-299-289=897 (+33)
UCF Individuals
1. Greg Eason 74-69-71=214 (-2)
T4. Nuno Henriques 75-73-71=219 (+3)
Reid Martin 77-70-72=219 (+3)
T17. Connor Arendell 75-74-75=224 (+8)
T21. Brad Schneider 71-81-73=225 (+9)