Feb. 15, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. - Led by Shawn Stefani and Ryan Kornmann, the Lamar men's golf team is tied for third place following the opening round of the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate hosted by Central Florida at Rio Pinar Country Club.

The 18-team field finished the morning 18 holes but was unable to finish the afternoon round due to darkness. The teams will complete the second round before starting the final 18 holes to complete the 54-hole event.

Stefani, a senior from Baytown, and Kornmann, a sophomore from Kingwood, both fired opening rounds of even-par 72. Stefani shot a 1-under 35 on the front-nine and a 1-over 37 on the back-nine. After posting a 2-over 38 on the front-9, Kornmann fired a 2-under 34 on the back-9.

Lamar, playing its first tournament of the spring season, shot an opening round 296 and is tied for third place with Louisville and UNC-Greensboro. Host UCF leads the tournament following an opening round 291, followed by Tulane at 295. Fellow Southland Conference member Texas-Arlington is sixth at 297.

Freshman Dawie Vander Walt shot an opening round 3-over 75 and is tied for 27th. Sophomore Casey Clendenon is tied for 47th with a 77 and senior Andre Metzger is tied for 71st with a 79.

Chris Wheeler of Tulane fired a 3-under 69 and holds the first round lead. Tyrone Mordt of UTA is second following 2-under 70.