April 20, 2003

PALADIN GOLFERS FINISH SIXTH AT SOCON; BUDDY DAVIS EARNS TOP 10

STATESBORO, Georgia -- The Furman Paladin golf team continued to move up the leaderboard on Saturday, posting a 296 to finish sixth in the Southern Conference Championships with a three-round 899 total at the 6,962-yard, par 72 Forest Heights Country Club. The Paladins were seventh entering the final round.

Buddy Davis, a junior from Orlando, Fla., recorded a ninth-place finish in the individual standings with a 220 total over 54 holes, and a final round 75. Jay McKnight carded a round three 71 to pace the Paladins on Sunday, and finished 20th in the team standings, while T.J. Blandford carded a final-round 74 to finish 27th at 227. Ryan Potter’s 78 on Saturday dropped the sophomore into 30th, while Shane Birckbichler shot a second consecutive 76 to finish 34th with a 231, three-round tally.

The host Eagles of Georgia Southern won the Southern Conference Championships and the automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals with a three-round 872 tally.

Furman Results
6th Furman 306-297-296=899
9th Buddy Davis 74-71-75=220
20th Jay McKnight 78-76-71=225
27th T.J. Blandford 79-74-74=227
30th Ryan Potter 75-76-78=229
34th Shane Birckbichler 79-76-76=231