March 17, 2006

HOUSTON, Texas - Despite two of its top three players not participating, Wake Forest is still within striking distance after one round of the GCAA/Hall of Fame Invitational here Monday.

 

Junior Sean Moore, the 2004 ACC champion, did not participate today after feeling poorly. His absence left the Deacons with four players and providing Wake Forest with no room for error. Moore is questionable for the final 36 holes scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

 

The Deacons are also without 2005 ACC Rookie of the Year Webb Simpson, who is participating this week on the PGA Tour's stop at the Bay Hill Classic.

 

Wake Forest is tied with Duke for 15^th place in a strong field that includes 17 teams. The Deacons are within 13 strokes of the top five.

 

Texas shot a first-round 293 (5-over par) today to take a one-shot lead over Oklahoma State and a two-shot lead over third-place East Tennessee State. All other teams shot more than 300, including Clemson (307) and defending national champion Georgia (308).

 

Wake Forest shot a 316 today, sliding from eighth place to a tie for 15^th place with a slide late in the day. Deacon senior Kyle Reifers shot a 4-over 76 today to lead the Deacons. Freshman Marc Gladson and sophomore Chris McCartin both turned in 7-over 79s. Senior Doug Manchester struggled to an 82.

 

Oklahoma's Anthony Kim has a commanding lead in the individual race after shooting a 5-under par 67 today. Texas' Jhonatton Vegas, who shot a 1-under 71, is the only other player to shoot under par in the opening round.  Four players are tied for third place after shooting even par.

 

The 17 teams are playing at the par 72, 7,422-yard Redstone Golf Club.

 

 

TEAM STANDINGS

1              Texas                      293 (+5)

2              Oklahoma State        294 (+6)

3              E. Tennessee St.     295 (+7)

4              Oklahoma                300 (+12)

T5            Purdue                    303 (+15)

T5            USC-Aiken              303 (+15)

7              Clemson                  305 (+17)

T8            TCU                        308 (+20)

T8            Arizona                    308 (+20)

T8            Georgia                   308 (+20)

T8            Texas A&M             308 (+20)

T12          Arkansas                 309 (+21)

T12          New Mexico            309 (+21)

14            Vanderbilt                314 (+26)

T15          Wake Forest            316 (+28)

T15          Duke                        316 (+28)

17            Guilford                    322 (+34)

 

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

1              Anthony Kim, Oklahoma                               67 (-5)

2              Jhonatton Vegas, Texas                              71 (-1)

t3             Pablo Martin, Oklahoma State                      72 (E)

t3             Ryhs Davies, East Tennessee State            72 (E)

t3             Gareth Shaw, East Tennessee State           72 (E)

t3             Eric Shriver, Arkansas                                 72 (E)

 

WAKE FOREST SCORES

t27           Kyle Reifers                 76 (+4)

t49           Marc Gladson              79 (+7)

t49           Chris McCartin             79 (+7)

t84           Doug Manchester        82 (+10)