Panthers make a comeback to finish strong at Tom O'Briant Memorial
Oct. 10, 2006

GREENSBORO, N.C. - LaGrange College rallied from a slow start in the first round to finish eighth at the Tom O'Briant Memorial Tournament on Tuesday. The Panthers improved 17 shots from the first round for a final round team total of 295. The total tied for the second best team score of the day.

Methodist won the tournament for the fourth straight year with a two-day total of 589 over the Greensboro Country Club Carlson Farm course. The Monarchs were followed by Oglethorpe three shots back, while Huntingdon and host Guilford tied for third.

"We made a good comeback today but the slow start Monday really hurt us with as many good teams as there are in this tournament," head coach Lee Richter said. "The guys picked it up and I'm proud of them.

"They showed some heart in competing against some of the best teams in Division III."

Freddy Uribe had the Panthers' tournament low round of 72 on Tuesday. He had a two-day total of 149 and finished tied for 17th in the final individual standings. Uribe led the tournament field with nine birdies and tied for scoring on the par 4's.

Paupat Kuahnun and Anthony Yacovazzi had two-day totals of 152. Kuahnun shot a final round 73 to go with a first round 79. Yacovazzi had rounds of 75-77. Bo Tiller shot 79-75 for a total of 154. Ryan Willis recovered from a first round 86 with a final round 75 for a 161 total.

The tournament featured 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 now in five of the last six O'Briant Memorials. LaGrange is the nation's 10th-ranked team in the poll. It is the Panthers' highest ranking in the poll.

The Panthers play in the Berry Invitational on Oct. 15-16 at the Coosa Country Club in Rome, Ga. The Panthers and Huntingdon will be the only NCAA Division III schools in the field.