March 10, 2007

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Wake Forest is in good company, but not high on the leader board, after the first round of the 54-hole Southern Highlands Intercollegiate here Friday. The 19th-ranked Demon Deacons are in 11th place out of 15 strong teams heading into Saturday's middle 18 holes.

Competing against a field that includes 11 teams ranked in the top 25, Wake Forest is just 14 strokes off the pace in a tightly-packed leader board. The tournament continues with 18 holes Saturday and 18 holes Sunday at the pary 72, 7,510-yard Southern Highlands Golf Club.

UCLA, one of just three teams to finish under par in the first round, is the tournament leader after a cumulative 6-under par 282. Georgia (-3) is in second place, followed by Georgia Tech (-2).

Wake Forest, which shot a 6-over 288, is just one stroke behind defending NCAAchampion and fourth-ranked Oklahoma State. The Deacons are within five strokes of fifth place.

Texas A&M's Martin Piller fired a 5-under par 67 to hold a narrow lead in the individual race. Three players are one stroke back at 4-under: Georgia's Brendon Todd and Chris Kirk, and UCLA's Kevin Chappell.

Wake Forest was led by a pair of veterans. Junior Chris McCartin and senior Sean Moore are tied for 21st after shooting a 1-over 73 today. Freshman Brendan Gielow and sophomore Dustin Groves are tied for 42nd after shooting 3-over 75s.

To illustrate how wacky the scoring was today, consider that tournament host, defending champion and ninth-ranked UNLV is in last place after shooting 14-over 302. In addition, Wake junior Webb Simpson, one of the nation's top amateurs, shot a 5-over 77 today.

Team Standings
UCLA 282    -6
Georgia 285    -3
Georgia Tech 286    -2
Arizona State 290    +2
Florida 291    +3
Minnesota 292    +4
Arizona 293    +5
Texas A&M 293    +5
Kentucky 294    +6
Oklahoma State 295    +7
Wake Forest 296    +8
Clemson 297    +9
Texas 298    +10
Washington 299    +11
UNLV 302    +14

Individual Standings
Martin Piller, Texas A&M 67    -5
Kevin Chappell, UCLA 68    -4
Chris Kirk Georgia 68    -4
Brendon Todd, Georgia 68    -4
Billy Horschel, Florida 69    -3
Lucas Lee, UCLA 69    -3

Wake Forest Individuals
Chris McCartin 73    +1 T-21
Sean Moore 73    +1 T-21
Brendan Gielow 75    +3 T-42
Dustin Groves 75    +3 T-42
Webb Simpson 77    +5 T-64