Sept. 20, 2006

The University of Texas-Pan American men's golf team competed in their second east coast tournament of the season and finished in 14th place with a three-round total of 894 (300-294-300) at the Raines Development Intercollegiate Group Golf Tournament in Florence, SC, on Tuesday (Sept 19).

In their second tournament of the season, the UTPA Bronc golfers were quickly humbled when inconsistent play plagued the team in all three rounds of the tournament in South Carolina.

"This could end up being a major turning point in our season because anytime you get humbled like this it forces you to work harder," said head men's golf coach Andrew Tredway.

One bright spot for the Broncs was senior Kyle Tudi (Phoenix, AZ/Chaparral H.S.) who tied for 24th place with a three-round tally of 221 (73-73-75). Tudi's consistent play has been his strong point in the first two tournaments of the season.

Newcomer Armen Kirakossian (Portland, OR/Wilson H.S.) ended the tournament tied for 43rd place with a three-round total of 225 (78-70-77). Kirakossian is coming off a record-setting performance in which he posted the lowest score for a golfer in his first appearance with the squad when he posted a final score of 210 (71-68-71).

Joining Kirakossian in the 43rd spot was sophomore Shane Pearce (Carrollton, TX/Hebron H.S.). Pearce moved up six spots between rounds two and three and posted a 54-hole tally of 225 (77-73-75).

Colin Norris (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Cochrane H.S.) completed the three-rounds of golf with a final mark of 229 (72-78-79) tied for 62nd while freshman High Wongchindawest (Bangkok, Thailand/Heritage Academy) totaled 237 (82-82-73) and finished in 89th place in his second tournament as a Bronc.

"This tournament was a struggle for these guys. They tried their hardest, and that's all I can ask of them. We have to do a better job preparing so we can be great at the next event," said Tredway.

The Broncs hope to rebound from their performance in South Carolina when they head to Lufkin, TX to compete in the Crown Classic hosted by Stephen F. Austin on Monday (Oct. 9).

1. Jacksonville University (874)
2. Troy University (875)
3. Tenn.-Chattanooga (878)
4. Furman University (881)
5. Elon University (882)
6. Old Dominion University (883)
7. Western Carolina Univ. (885)
8. College Of Charleston (890)
9. Wofford College (891)
South Carolina-Aiken (891)
Charleston Southern (891)
12. Davidson College (892)
Georgia Coll. & St. U. (892)
14. Texas-Pan American (894)
15. Samford University (896)
16. Francis Marion University (899)
17. Birmingham Southern (913)
18. Appalachian State University (916)

UTPA Sports Information