Feb. 24, 2004

Charleston, S.C. - In its first event of the 2004 spring season, the Western Carolina men's golf team placed third in a filed of 12 at the Charleston Southern Spring Kick Off Tournament. The 54-hole event was played at Coosaw Creek Country Club from Feb. 23-24.

Not only did Western place third, but the Catamounts were the highest finishing Southern Conference school in the event, beating Davidson, Appalachian State and The Citadel.

The Catamounts placed two individuals among the top 10, however, only one counted toward the team scoring. Senior Tim Eckberg fired rounds of 72-75-77 in tough weather conditions to tie for 6th with two-day score of 224. Teammate Blake Wray also carded a 224 and finished sixth, but the sophomore was competing in the event as an individual. Also having a solid three rounds was Forest City product Tripp Morrow. The freshman placed 11th with rounds of 77-73-77 for a total of 227. Chase Kress and Matt Flueckiger each finished with three-round totals of 235, tying for 30th, while Keith Tyburski finished 57th-t (251).

Western Carolina will return to action Mar. 8-9 at the annual Winthrop/Waterford Invitational, held at Waterford Golf Club in Rock Hill, S.C.

CSU Spring Kick Off Tournament
Coosaw Creek CC  - Charleston, S.C.
Dates: Feb. 23-24, 2004 - Par: 71 - Yardage: 6593

Fin. School                 Scores
  1  Charleston Southern    298-300-292=890
  2  Bowling Green          303-306-296=905
  3  Western Carolina       302-302-316=920
  4  Davidson               297-322-302=921
  5  High Point             313-313-308=934
  6  Appalachian State      300-317-320=937
  7  Eastern Illinois       318-310-310=938
  8  Connecticut            310-317-315=942
  9  Gardner-Webb           315-320-320=955
 10  South Carolina State   318-320-324=962
 11  The Citadel            314-334-317=965
 12  Radford                333-326-335=994

WCU SCORES        Rd1 Rd2 Rd3  Tot.      Place
Tim Eckberg       72  75  77 = 224       6th-t
Blake Wray        76  74  74 = 224       6th-t *
Tripp Morrow      77  73  77 = 227       11th-t
Chase Kress       75  80  80 = 235       30th-t
Matt Flueckiger   78  75  82 = 235       30th-t
Keith Tyburski    84  79  88 = 251       57th-t

* - Wray played as an individual and his score did not count toward the team score.