Oct. 11, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Playing among a field that includes seven of the top 12 ranked teams, including the top three ranked teams, Wake Forest is in ninth place after two rounds of the 20th annual Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.

The tournament began Monday with the first two rounds. It is being played at Birmingham's Old Overton Club. It concludes with the third and final round on Tuesday.

The Demon Deacons, playing with a lineup of one junior, one sophomore, and three freshmen, are at 1-under 567 after two rounds. Wake Forest shot a 4-under 280 in the morning round, followed by a 3-over 287 in the afternoon round. No. 1 ranked Oklahoma State and No. 2 ranked Georgia Tech are tied for the lead among the field of 12 teams, both at 16-under par. Augusta State is third (553) at -15. Alabama is fourth at -14 after 36 holes.

Deacon junior Kyle Reifers shot a sizzling six-under 65 in the opening round and is tied for fifth place overall with a 36-hole total of 137. Reifers is just one stroke off the pace as four players are tied for the tournament's lead, including Alabama's Mark Harrell, TCU's David Schultz, USC's Tyler Ley and Georgia's Brendon Todd, all carding 136 for the day.

Wake freshman Webb Simpson shot a 72-70--142 (Even par) and is tied for 27th place. Other Deacon scorers include freshman Dustin Groves (70-75--145), sophomore Sean Moore (73-73--76) and freshman Chris McCartin (76-72--148).