20th-ranked Clayton State tied for
fourth after first round of Bobcat Invitational
Lakers’ Wilcox tied for fourth at two-over-par 72
EATONTON,
Ga. – March 24, 2008
– Playing its final regular season tournament before
the Peach Belt Conference Championships, the Clayton State Laker
men’s golf team battled both treacherous elements and a strong field
in the opening round of the Bobcat Invitational on Monday at the
Cuscawilla Golf Club.
After the first round, it was so far, so good for the 20th-ranked
Lakers.
Clayton State finds itself tied for fourth in the strong field of 17
teams with a 308 for the first round. In a field that features 11
teams ranked in the most recent Division II Top 25, the Lakers are
tied with top-ranked Sonoma State and 15th-ranked
Columbus State, while they hold a one-stroke lead over 14th-ranked
Georgia College and 18th-ranked
Lander.
In addition, Clayton State has a two-stroke lead over third-ranked
Florida Southern and 19th-ranked
North Alabama. Second-ranked West Florida shot a 291 for the first
round, and the Argonauts hold a 10-stroke lead over sixth-ranked USC
Aiken.
Individually for Clayton State, junior Will Wilcox, who entered the
tournament as the top-rated player in Division II according to
GolfStat, shot a two-over par 72 to stand tied for fourth overall
Florida Southern’s Judson Eustaquio. They trail first round leader
J.P. Solis from USC Aiken by three strokes.
In addition to Wilcox, sophomore Wade Benfield shot a five-over 75
and is tied for 13th
for the Lakers. Freshman Chris Cartwright is tied for 41st
with a nine-over 79, while freshman Kevin Duncan is tied for 67th
with an 82 and Jonathan Visconti is tied for 89th
with an 89. Playing as an individual, junior Neil McBride is tied
for 28th with a
seven-over 77.
Monday’s play was originally scheduled for two rounds, but swirling
winds and uncharacteristic cold temperatures forced the tournament
to be suspended after 15 holes in the second round. The second round
will be finished on Tuesday, followed immediately by the third and
final round at the Cuscawilla Golf Club.
