Men's Golf Release - O'Briant Day 1 - Guilford College

  • METHODIST GRABS FIRST-ROUND LEAD AT O'BRIANT MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNEY

Greensboro, NC (09/29/03) -- Mike Townsend (Garner, NC) shot a one-over-par 71 and Adam Horton (Chesapeake, VA) fired a 72 to help Methodist to a four-shot lead after Monday's opening round of the 16th Annual Tom O'Briant Memorial Golf Tournament at the Cardinal Golf and Country Club. Oglethorpe is four shots back (297), followed by Emory (301). Tournament host Guilford fired a first-round 305 and stands fourth among the 18 teams.

The Monarchs, ranked first in the most recent Precept Division III Coaches' Poll, placed four of their five players among the top 14 individuals in the 90-player field. Senior James Stewart (Advance, NC) and sophomore Cory Schneider (Sebring, OH) each shot 75 in Monday's opening round. Oglethorpe, ranked second in the Precept Poll, placed three players among the low-14 individuals, including senior Trent Erb (Athens, GA), who carded a 72 Monday. Stormy Petrels' junior Corey Garner (Clayton, GA) shot 73 and shares sixth place in the individual field.

Townsend shot 35 on the first nine holes and 36 on the back nine to take a one-shot lead. Horton also parred the front nine, but shot two-over 37 on the back side to finish at 72. He shares second place with Oglethorpe's Erb, senior Craig Hosie (Shanty Bay, ONT/Eastview Secondary) of defending Division III national champion Averett, and Greensboro's Ryan Wilson. Emory's Jason Scherr (Lubbock, TX/Coronado) and Mike Lebow (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) each shot 73 for the 14th-ranked Eagles and share sixth place with Garner and Aaron James (Paget, Bermuda/Bradenton Academy (FL)) of Guilford's Grey team.

Division I Duke's 'B' squad, the three-time defending tournament champs, shot 308 and share fifth place with Ohio Wesleyan, the third-ranked team in the Precept Division III poll.

This year's tournament features nine of the top-20 teams in the Sept. 10 Precept Division III poll and four of the past five Division III national champions.

Play concludes at the par-70, 6,671-yard Pete Dye-designed course with Tuesday's second round.