Oct. 31, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s golf senior Brian Belden, who has scored three consecutive top-20 finishes will lead the Kentucky men’s golf team to its final tournament of the fall season at the Hummingbird Intercollegiate in Sapphire, N.C., starting Monday. The 18-team tournament, which is being hosted by Western Carolina, will be played at the par-71, 6,767-yard Country Club of Sapphire Valley.
Belden has been impressive in his senior season for Kentucky, playing in all four tournaments so far this fall with three top-20 finishes and a team-best 72.73 season stroke average. The native of Emmaus, Pa., is fresh off finishing tied for 19th at the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate, where he scored a 3-under-par 69 in the second round for his lowest 18-hole round of the year. Belden’s best finish of the year came at the Philadelphia Big 5 Invitational, placing tied for ninth with a 36-hole score of 143.
Belden will be joined at the event by sophomore Joseph Barr, sophomore Chase Parker, freshman Stephen Powers and junior Mads Kristensen. Sophomore Seth Blann will play in the tournament as an individual.
Parker and Kristensen played in the event last year for Kentucky, helping the Wildcats finish in a tie for second at last year’s event. Parker finished the tournament in a tie for 14th with a 36-hole score of even-par 142, while Kristensen was tied for 47th with a score of 148.
The 36-hole event will begin with practice rounds by set tee times Sunday afternoon with the opening round scheduled for Monday, Nov. 1. Groups will tee off on both the front and back nines with front nine tee times beginning at 9:00 am ET, and the back nine starting at 9:05 am ET.
Fourteen of the 18 total teams entered in this year’s event are returning from last year’s event, with three entrants ranked inside the GolfStat top 100 and eight among the top 150 in the rankings. Kennesaw State is the highest ranked team at 62nd with Vanderbilt 73rd and Akron 97th this week.
The Country Club of Sapphire Valley is a private, member-owned club that features a newly renovated valley golf course, new clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center and tennis center. The course meanders through the backdrop of a mature hardwood forest and scenic mountains that provide for breath taking views and a natural setting. The course, which sits on a level valley floor despite its mountainous surroundings, was originally designed by George Cobb and recently updated by Bill Bergin.
Fans can follow all the action of the Hummingbird Intercollegiate with live scoring through www.GolfStatResults.com.
2010 Hummingbird Intercollegiaet
Schedule of Play:
Monday, Nov. 1
9:00 am – 1st round tee times (subject to frost delay)
Tuesday, Nov. 2
9:00 am – 2nd round tee times (subject to frost delay)
