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Clayton State’s Wilcox tied for 12^th after first round of NCAA Division II Southeast Regional
Laker sophomore shoots 79 in harsh conditions; stands six strokes off the lead

POOLER, Ga. --- MAY 7, 2007 --- Will Wilcox had plenty of obstacles to battle in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional for men’s golf on Monday. First was a loaded field featuring contenders from six nationally-ranked teams. As if that wasn’t enough, the harsh weather conditions had gusty winds of upwards of 30 mph (miles-per-hour).

However, the Clayton State sophomore persevered and battled through the obstacles and currently stands tied for 12^th after Monday’s first round at the Savannah Quarters Country Club. Wilcox shot a seven-over-par 79 and is six strokes off the lead of Columbus State’s Andrew Georgiou.

The round started out as a nightmare for Wilcox. On the first seven holes, he recorded two bogeys, two double-bogeys and a dreaded triple-bogey on the Par 5 fifth hole. However, Wilcox regrouped and shot two-under for the remaining 11 holes, recording birdies on the eighth and 13^th holes.

He is currently tied with Georgia College’s Juan Bialet and USC-Aiken’s Matt Giftos. The trio is one stroke behind Ryan Wilson from Armstrong Atlantic and Patrick Townes from Presbyterian, and two strokes off the pace of Lander’s Charlie Hoyle and USC-Upstate’s Baxter Culler. Georgiou holds a two-stroke lead over Cougar teammates Kyle Albright and Christian Ries.

“I was so proud of him (Wilcox) today,” said Clayton State head coach Barry Harwell. “After those first few holes, he could’ve folded the tent, but he didn’t. I’m normally not happy with a 79, but on a day like this, a 79 is pretty good.”

Indeed it was. Of the 45 players competing in the Southeast Regional, only 14 scored in the 70s. Counting the Atlantic Regional that was also competing on the Savannah Quarters, only 20 players of the 90 combined broke 80 on the Par 72, 7,026-yard Greg Norman designed championship course.

On top of that, only two players broke par on either the front or back nine for the round – Wilcox being one. He was one-under par on the back nine.

The Division II Southeast Regional continues with the second round on Tuesday, starting at 8 a.m. Wilcox tees off in 8:36 a.m. group.