STATESBORO, Ga. -- No. 14 UAB leads by one stroke after the first round of play at the Chris Schenkel Invitational on Friday. UAB fired a 285 (-3) for the first 18 holes of competition at the par-72, 6,947-yard course.
“I was really proud of the guys and how they handled the tricky playing conditions,” head coach Alan Murray said. “The course showed its teeth with the wind and some good pins. Our guys played a very mature round of golf. They played well without being spectacular and missed in the right spots, which allowed them to score.”
UAB was one of two teams to record a team score under par on Friday. Tournament host Georgia Southern is second, one stroke behind.
“It’s obviously a quality field and we have put a nice score together,” Murray said. “There is a long way to go and we will need to keep doing things as well as we did today.”
Senior Wilson McDonald led the way for the UAB men’s golf team on the first day of competition. McDonald shot a 69 (-3) to lead the squad and is tied for third place individually. The senior golfer was one-over par through six holes and recorded four birdies in the final 12 for his 11th round at or under par for the 2013-14 season.
Junior Paul Dunne, fresh off a first-place showing in the Blazers’ latest event, fired a 70 (-2) for the first round of play. It marked his sixth round at or under par in his last eight rounds played. Dunne is in a tie for eighth place heading into Saturday.
Sophomore Martin Rohwer recorded an even-par for the first 18 holes of play, good enough for 17th place. Rohwer is coming off a 12th-place finish at the Samford Intercollegiate.
Senior Sam Love was two-over for the day on Friday. Love currently sits in 29th place after the first round of the Chris Schenkel Invitational.
Redshirt senior Thomas Sutton wrapped up the Blazers’ lineup on the first day of competition. Sutton recorded a 79 (+7) at the par-72, 6,947 yard course.
Sophomore Will Cannon, participating as an individual, replicated Love’s efforts with a 74 (+2) on Friday.
“We are in good shape headed into the final two rounds and will need all our lads playing well,” Murray said. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”
