Sept. 12, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team, led by Emmaus, Pa., native Brian Belden, sits in 12th position after day one at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate in Zionsville, Ind., on Saturday.
The two rounds Saturday spanned over 11 hours through cold rain early in the day, to sun and brisk winds in the afternoon, making each round vastly different from the other. Belden, a senior, was steady as he compiled a two-round total of four-over 146, breaking into the top ten with one round left to play. Sophomores Joseph Barr and Chase Parker had the next highest finish for the Wildcats both with an eight-over 150.
Belden posted a one-over par 72 in the second round to jump into the top 10. The senior was followed by Barr in the second round who scored a five-over par 76 and Parker and Seth Blann, who posted six-over par 77s. Freshman Stephen Powers scored a nine-over par 80 in the second round and redshirt freshman Cody Martin, playing in the tournament as an individual shot an 81 in the second round.
Kentucky concluded the first round tied for 8th with a 12-under par 296. The first round began at 8:30 a.m. ET with a shotgun start. Parker led the Wildcats in the opening round, finishing tied for 19th with a two-over par 73, four shots off the lead. Fighting through the pain of a toe injury on his left foot, forcing a visible limp, Parker managed to improve as the round went on finishing his final eight holes at two-under par.
Belden and sophomore Barr finished just behind Parker with three-over par 74s, putting themselves in good position heading into the second round tied for 26th. Powers, getting his first collegiate tournament experience, shot 75 in his Kentucky debut charting the second most birdies in the first round with five. The fifth score for the Wildcats was Blann, who came in with an eight-over par 79. The lone individual for UK, Martin posted a 79.
The final round of the event at Wolf Run Golf Club, which is currently ranked in the top-20 modern golf courses, according to “Golfweek”, is Sunday.
