Sept. 18, 2011

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore Cody Martin finished in second place and the University of Kentucky men’s golf team shot a 3-over par 287 Sunday to secure the team title at the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational.

Led by Martin’s final score of 1-over par 214, Kentucky took over the lead on the Big Blue Course (par 71, 6,988 yards) at the University Club of Kentucky on Saturday afternoon and entered Sunday’s final round with a three-stroke lead over the Dayton Flyers.

On Sunday, Kentucky got two rounds of 2-under par from sophomore Stephen Powers and junior Joseph Barr. Paired with Martin’s Sunday round of 2-over par 73 and junior Chase Parker’s 5-over par 76, Kentucky closed out the tournament with a 287 to win the title by four strokes.

“It’s always good to win,” UK head coach Brian Craig said. “It’s been a little while since we’ve won so I’m proud of the guys for doing that. It got a little close at the end but we played solid down the stretch and the last two rounds we played pretty well. The first round we kind of dug ourselves in a hole so I was proud we were able to bounce back.”

The Wildcats last won their home tournament in the spring of the 2008-09 season. This was the first time Kentucky has ever hosted the invitational during the fall. The result of playing in the fall was a course in better shape and three rounds with gorgeous weather conditions. UK’s total of 864 was the second lowest score they’ve ever carded in the tournament’s history.

Martin continued his hot start to the 2011-12 season with his second-consecutive top-five finish. After finishing in a tie for fourth at the Marshall Invitational earlier this week, Martin carded a 1-over par 214 to finish in second at the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational. Martin’s two 54-hole scores this season are the lowest- and third-lowest totals of his collegiate career. It’s the fifth time in the last seven tournaments that Martin has led Kentucky in scoring.

“The team (win) is awesome,” Martin said. “That’s the most important part. Last week we got off to a rough start to the season and we needed to win, basically, to get our head back above water. We did, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Kentucky also got a very strong showing from sophomore Matthew Anderson, who played as an individual. The Tompkinsville, Ky., native fired a 2-under par 69 during Saturday’s first round, and followed it up with a 74 Saturday afternoon and a 73 Sunday. Anderson’s 3-over par 216 put him in a tie for third overall, the first top-three finish of his collegiate career.

Kentucky had five golfers finish in a tie for 13th at 6-over par. In addition to Barr, Powers and Parker, freshman David Snyder and senior Mads Kristensen also recorded 6-over par scores of 219 to finish in a tie for 13th. Snyder and Kristensen played as individuals.

For all Kentucky men’s golf information, go to UKathletics.com. For all results and information concerning the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational, please also go to the tournament central page.

UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational

University Club of Kentucky (Big Blue Course)

Par 71 – 6,988 yards

Final Results

2. Cody Martin – 74, 67, 73 – 214 (+1)
T13. Joseph Barr – 76, 74, 69 – 219 (+6)
T13. Stephen Powers – 79, 71, 69 – 219 (+6)
T13. Chase Parker – 72, 71, 76 – 219 (+6)
T40. Will Bishop – 74, 72, 80 – 226 (+13)
*T3. Matthew Anderson – 69, 74, 73 – 216 (+3)
*T13. David Snyder – 70, 78, 71 – 219 (+6)
*T13. Mads Kristensen – 74, 76, 69 – 219 (+6)
*T49. Seth Blann – 76, 78, 74 – 228 (+15)
*T61. Todd McDaniel – 75, 78, 77 – 230 (+17)
1. KENTUCKY – 296, 281, 287 – 864 (+12)