Feb. 26, 2007

First Round Results

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The Marquette golf team led the Wexford Plantation by one stroke over Tenn.-Chattanooga after 18 holes at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate at the Wexford Plantation Golf Club in Hilton Head, S.C.

The Golden Eagles were the only team to break 300 in the first round, shooting 11-over, 299 through the first 18 holes. Tenn.-Chattanooga was one shot behind at 300. Furman was two-shots back of Marquette after 18 holes.

"I was very impressed with how we came out to play," head coach Tim Grogan said. "This is a pretty challenging course. Our goal was to break 300 as a team, and we were the only team that was able to do that. We want to be in position to win the tournament with nine holes to play and this was a good start."

Freshman Ben Sieg led the Golden Eagles through 18 holes, shooting an even par, 72. He continued to shoot well from his hot pace at the end of the fall as he is coming off a first place finish at the BIG EAST/MAC Challenge.

Sophomore Mike Van Sickle sat in the top 10 through 18 holes. He was in sixth place after a one-over 73.

"Ben Sieg and Mike Van Sickle came out to play today," Grogan said. "They did a good job of continuing the improvement they had from the fall season and are showing the rest of the team what we need to do to be successful."

The Golden Eagles finished the day in second place at 605. Tenn.-Chattanooga jumped into the team lead at 603, two shots ahead of Marquette. East Carolina made a huge improvement, placing second, tied with Marquette.

Individually, Van Sickle jumped ahead of the pack to lead the tournament after 36 holes at even par, 142. He holds a three stroke lead over Neil O'Briain of Wofford. Sieg is in a tie for third at 147.