Panthers 11th after first round of Tom O'Briant Memorial
Oct. 9, 2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. - LaGrange College is 11th after the first of two rounds of the Tom O'Briant Memorial tournament at the Greensboro Country Club Carlson Farm Course. Three-time defending tournament champion Methodist shot a four-over-par 288 Monday to take the lead.

"We got off to a slow start against a really strong field," head coach Lee Richter said. "It was like watching root canal."

The Panthers shot a team total of 311. Freddy Uribe and Anthony Yacovazzi tied for team honors with rounds of 77 each. Paupat Kuahnun and Bo Tiller had rounds of 79 each. Ryan Willis closed out the scoring with an 86.

"I believe this is the toughest course we have played in quite a while," Richter said. "We will have to regroup and try for a top five finish."

The Panthers are 12 shots back of Christopher Newport and Duke "B" for fifth. Oglethorpe and Huntingdon are tied for second, nine shots back of Methodist.

The tournament features seven of NCAA Division III's top-25 teams, according to the October 5 Bridgestone/Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) poll, including all of the of the top-five squads. Five of Division III's last eight national champions are also in the field.

In addition to top-ranked Methodist, third-ranked Guilford, fourth-ranked Emory and number-five Huntingdon make this one of Division III's top fall tournaments. Second-ranked Oglethorpe has finished second in four of the last five O'Briant Memorials. LaGrange is the nation's 10th-ranked team in the poll. It is the Panthers' highest ranking in the poll.