March 13, 2005

LAS VEGAS - Host UNLV made full use of the home course advantage, running away from a strong 15-team field to win the Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship by 15 strokes.

Wake Forest shot a 16-over par 304 in Sunday's final round to finish in seventh place. The Demon Deacons, ranked fifth nationally by GolfWeek, shot a collective 297-283-304--884 (20-over par) at the par 72, 7,510-yard layout at the Highlands Golf Club.

UNLV, the only team to finish the 54-hole event under par, shot a three-day 8-under par score to finish ahead of second-place Georgia. Florida finished third, followed by Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest.

South Carolina's Mark Anderson and UCLA's Daniel Im tied for individual medalist honors with a 54-hole total of 7-under 209. Wake Forest junior Kyle Reifers finished tied for 15th place, nine strokes back with a 76-67-75--218 (2-over).

Deacon freshman Webb Simpson shot a 76-70-75--221 (5-over) to finish in 24th place. Freshman Chris McCartin and sophomore Sean Moore both shot 54-hole totals of 225 (9-over) to tie for 40th place. Junior Doug Manchester slipped to 53rd place after a 227 (11-over).

The Southern Highlands Collegiate included eight of the top 10 individuals in Division I golf. All 15 teams in the field are nationally-ranked. Wake Forest returns to action Saturday and Sunday in Houston at the University of Texas/GCAA Invitational.

Complete results can be found at www.golfstat.com.