March 25, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team got off to a fantastic start Sunday in the first round of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate, shooting a team score of 3-under-par 285, tying the first round lead.
Playing at the Bulls Bay Golf Club (par 72, 7,363 yards) in Awendaw, S.C., Kentucky was led by freshman David Snyder, junior Joseph Barr and sophomore Cody Martin, who each find themselves in the top-10. Snyder carded a 2-under-par 70 and is tied for second, while Barr and Martin each shot 1-under-par 71s and are tied for 10th.
“We played excellent golf today from the beginning to the end,” UK head coach Brian Craig said. “It was a windy day at Bulls Bay and our guys played very intelligent golf. One round does not mean much but it is certainly a good start.”
Snyder led the way for Kentucky with his seventh round of even or under par. Snyder, as well as each of the Wildcats, began his round from the 10th tee. The Somerset, Ky., native got off to a fast start, birdying two of his opening three holes, but made the turn at even par. On the back nine, Snyder regrouped with three birdies and just one bogey to finish with a 70. In college golf, four of the team’s five golfers’ scores are counted. In Snyder’s 15 rounds of play this year, 13.5 of his rounds have counted toward the team’s total. His 90 percent rate is the highest on the team.
Barr and Martin each carded 1-under-par 71s on Sunday. Barr recorded three birdies and two bogeys, while Martin had two birdies and one bogey. Snyder, Barr and Martin each opened their rounds with birdies on the par-5 10th.
Sophomore Stephen Powers is tied for 25th after shooting a 1-over-par 73 Sunday. Powers had an up and down round, carding seven pars, four birdies, five bogies, one eagle and one double-bogey.
Junior Chase Parker shot a 3-over-par 75 and sits in a tie for 49th.
Kentucky’s second round will begin Monday at 10:40 a.m. ET with Parker teeing off from the first. Powers, Barr, Martin and Snyder will follow, respectively, in 10-minute intervals. The tournament will conclude with the third round Tuesday.
Kentucky is joined in the 15-team field by host school College of Charleston, as well as Auburn, Augusta State, LSU, Maryland, Ole Miss, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Virginia, Wake Forest, Wisconsin and Wofford College.
Fans wishing to follow along with results as they come into the clubhouse can access live results at Golfstat.com.
The tournament draws its name from the band Hootie & the Blowfish and each year enjoys the support of Charleston native, Darius Rucker.
For more news and information on the Kentucky men’s golf team, including daily recaps and results from the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate, follow the Wildcats on Twitter at “UKMensGolf” and go to UKathletics.com.
Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate
Bulls Bay Golf Club
Par 72 – 7,282 yards
First Round Results
T2. David Snyder – 70 – 70 (-2)
T10. Joseph Barr – 71 – 71 (-1)
T10. Cody Martin – 71 – 71 (-1)
T25. Stephen Powers – 73 – 73 (+1)
T49. Chase Parker – 75 – 75 (+3)
T1. KENTUCKY – 285 – 285 (-3)
