March 29, 2005

AWANDAW, S.C. - Wake Forest freshman Webb Simpson had his best finish as a Demon Deacon, taking second place in the individual race at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate here Tuesday.

Simpson completed his 3-under par 68 second round this morning, then shot an even par 71 to finish 3-under (210) for the tournament. Simpson, who now has two career top-five finishes, finished five shots behind tournament medalist Scott Jamieson of Augusta State, who finished with an 8-under 205 at the Bulls Bay Golf Club.

As a team, Wake Forest finished in the middle of the pack in eighth place out of 15 teams. At least three Demon Deacons were suffering from flu-like symptoms including sophomore Sean Moore, who could not complete his second or third rounds.

Augusta State and Kentucky tied for the team championship with a three-day score of 866 (+14). Three SEC teams - Auburn, Georgia and LSU - finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Wake Forest finished with an 866 (+34) on the par 71, 7,189-yard course, 20 strokes behind the leaders.

Despite most of the team feeling under the weather, three different Deacons finished in the top 20 individually. Junior Kyle Reifers finished tied for 15th after a 71-78-70--219 (+6). Junior Doug Manchester tied for 20th after a 73-74-73--220 (+7). Alex Yates recovered from opening rounds of 85 and 83 to shoot a 75 in the final round.

The sixth-ranked Demon Deacons return to action Saturday and Sunday at the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational in Augusta, GA.