May 2, 2008

RESULTS

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - The Richmond men's golf team is tied for fifth after shooting a 5-over 293 in the opening round of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship, played Friday at Orange County National Golf Club.

Richmond senior Jordan Utley is tied for sixth after shooting a 2-under-par 70 on the par-72 6,882-yard Panther Lake Course. The second round of the 54-hole tournament begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday with a shotgun start. The final round will be played with tee times on Sunday.

The Spiders are tied with St. Bonaventure in fifth place, one shot behind fourth-place Xavier (292). Charlotte, which enters the tournament ranked No. 5 in the nation, and Rhode Island are tied for first at 10-under-par 278. Dayton is in second place at 9-under 278.

"We could have played better today, but at least we're in better position than we were after the first day last year," Richmond head coach Adam Decker said. "We're going to practice this afternoon and look to make up some ground tomorrow."

The Spiders were in ninth place after the first round of last year's A-10 Championship, but responded by shooting 3-under-par in the second round and 5-under in the final round to finish fourth.

Dayton's Rob Chappell is the leader in the clubhouse Friday at 8-under-par 64, while Charlotte's Jonas Enander Hedin is in second with a 6-under 66. There is a three-way tie for third at 3-under 69, followed by Utley one shot back in a tie for sixth.

Utley had three birdies and just one bogie on the front nine to shoot a 3-under 34. He had three birdies, a bogey and one double bogey on the back nine.

Junior Tim Courtney is in a tie for 15th after shooting an even-par 72 with 14 pars, two birdies and two bogeys. Senior Billy Hanes is tied for 28th at 3-over 75. Hanes had three birdies, with four bogeys and a double bogey.

Sophomore Robert Lindstrom is one shot behind Hanes in a tie for 36th at 4-over 76. Lindstrom had three birdies, but bogeyed seven of his first 13 holes. Lindstrom played his last five holes at 1-under par, including a birdie on the 18th.

Junior Grant Rafield is tied for 50th after bogeying five of his last eight holes to finish at 8-over 80.