March 8, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Behind impressive final rounds from sophomore Chase Parker and freshman Cody Martin, the University of Kentucky men’s golf team moved four spots up the leaderboard to finish 13th in the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C. on Tuesday.

Kentucky (314-290-295-899) scored a 15-over-par 295 in the final round to finish the 54-hole event at 59-over-par 899. Martin (80-70-69-219) and Parker (78-72-70-220) led the Wildcats, posting solid scores on the final day to earn a top-25 finish.

Martin carded the lowest UK round of the day Tuesday, earning a 1-under-par 69 to move 36 spots up the leaderboard. The native of Union, Ky., finished the tournament in a tie for 21st, totaling a 9-over-par 219 after a 10-over-par 80 in the opening round and an even-par 70 in the second round.

Parker was only one stroke behind, finishing tied for 24th at 10-over-par 220. The native of Augusta, Ga., posted an 8-over-par 78 in the opening round and a 2-over-par 72 in the second round before turning in his best card of the day Tuesday with an even-par 70.

Sophomores Seth Blann (77-75-78-230) and Joseph Barr (79-73-80-232) had setbacks on the final day with Blann earning an 8-over-par 78 to finish tied for 69th at 20-over-par 230. Barr scored a 10-over-par 80 in the final round to place him 77th overall with a 22-over-par 232. Senior Brian Belden (83-76-78-237) shot an 8-over-par 78 Tuesday to finish tied for 84th at 27-over-par 237.

Top-ranked Alabama took home the title with a team score of 9-over-par 849, while Alabama junior Bud Cauley took home the individual title at 9-under-par 201.

Kentucky will hit the course again Mach 18-20 when it plays in the Schenkel Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Ga.

For more information on the Kentucky men’s golf team, visit UKathletics.com or follow “UKmensgolf” on Twitter.