MARCH 21, 2003
FURMAN GOLFERS SECOND AT INTERCOLLEGIATE;
VIRGINIA TECH GUNNING FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE TITLE
GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Virginia Tech’s Chris McKeel fired a first-round 67 Friday at the Furman University Golf Course, to take the individual lead and pace the Hokies to a tournament-best 290 in the first of three rounds at the 34th annual Furman Intercollegiate.
The Paladins of Furman are in second after carding a three-over 291, while Coastal Carolina is third at 293 and Francis Marion is fourth at 296.
McKeel showed a great deal of consistency in the first round, shooting 34 on the front and 33 on the back to card a five-under par at the 6,800-yard, par 72 course. The Hokies’ Brendon DeJonge, the tournament’s defending medalist, helped Tech with a 73, while Ryan Stinnett and Scott Wise each shot 75 and are tied for 25th in the individual standings.
Furman, meanwhile, was paced by sophomore Rob Langley, who was even on the front nine and shot two-under on the back to stand tied for second place as an individual. Junior Buddy Davis added a 72 to the Paladin effort and is tied for fourth overall, while T.J. Blandford fired a 74 and Noble Judy rounded out the Furman counters with a 75.
In addition to McKeel and Langley, J.D. McNeill is within striking distance of the individual title after an opening 72 and six golfers are tied for fourth at even par.
The Hokies of Virginia Tech are attempting to become the first team to ever win the Furman Intercollegiate in three consecutive years. The host Paladins are trying to foil the Hokies’ attempt and win their first Furman Intercollegiate trophy since 1986.
Round two of the three-round Intercollegiate is set to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Furman Golf Course. The third and final round is slated for Sunday.