Monday, April 17, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. - Behind four-under par 69's from Rhys Davies and Jordan Findlay, the Bucs posted a team score of 283, nine strokes under par to grab the team lead at Eagle Creek Golf Club. Lipscomb's Taylor Lewis carded the lowest round of the day so far with his five-under par round of 68.

Last season’s runner-up UNF overcame a heavy wind that blew across the course during the later rounds to stand just two strokes behind the ninth-ranked Bucs. All five Ospreys shot par or better with Jeff Dennis posting a 69. River City Rival Jacksonville joins ETSU and UNF in the top-three with a team 286. The Dolphins big three of Russel Knox (70), Duncan Stewart (70) and Jamie Kennedy (71) each shot sub-par rounds to keep JU in contention. Stewart, the defending champion from last season, shot a two-under par 70 to remain within striking distance of the lead. Stewart hopes to become the first player since 2000 to defend his medalist honors and only the third player in A-Sun history.

Mercer, Campbell and Belmont each carded team rounds below par in the first round. The Bruins led the field with a pair of eagles with both Michael Martin and Danny Amundson carding three’s on the lengthy par fives. UNF’s Michael Gimmaresi and Mercer’s Bryan Barnett each tallied seven birdies during their first round of play.

Second round play will commence tomorrow at 7:40 am.

The 11-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. ETSU - 283 (-9)
2. UNF - 285 (-7)
3. Jacksonville - 286 (-6)
T4. Mercer - 289 (-3)
T4. Campbell- 289 (-3)
6. Belmont - 291 (-1)
7. Florida Atlantic - 297 (+5)
8. Stetson - 299 (+7)
9. Gardner-Webb - 300 (+8)
10. Lipscomb - 308 (+16)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD TOP 10
1. Taylor Lewis, Lipscomb - 68 (-5)
T2. Rhys Davies, ETSU - 69 (-4)
T2. Jordan Findlay, ETSU - 69 (-4)
T2. Jeff Dennis, UNF - 69 (-4)
T5. Gareth Shaw, ETSU - 70 (-3)
T5. Duncan Stewart, JU - 70 (-3)
T5. Russel Knox, JU - 70 (-3)
T8. Jamie Kennedy, JU - 71 (-2)
T8. Michael O'Neal, UNF - 71 (-2)
T8. Silas Sutton, Mercer - 71 (-2)
T8. Bryan Barnett, Mercer - 71 (-2)
T8. Matt McIntyre, Campbell - 71 (-2)