Friday, September 11, 2009

ROCKY FACE, Ga. (Sept. 11, 2009) - Junior Paul O'Kane (Castledawson, Northern Ireland) fired a 1-over-par 73 to lead the ETSU men's golf team, as the Buccaneers opened their 2009-2010 season with first round play Friday in the Carpet Capital Collegiate at the Farm Golf Club.

The Buccaneers finished the day in 10^th place at 11-over 299, while Alabama posted a 1-over 289 to hold the first round lead by one stroke over a trio of teams that included Clemson, South Carolina and Tennessee. O'Kane's 73 puts him five strokes off the pace set by first round individual leader Jonathan Randolph of Mississippi, who posted a 4-under 68 and leads Auburn's John Stembridge by one stroke.

While O'Kane is currently tied for 19^th on the leaderboard, ETSU sophomore Devin Komline (Dorset, Vermont) and senior Seamus Power (Waterford, Ireland) both posted 2-over 74 to finish tied for 24^th. Meanwhile, sophomores Michael Stewart (Troon, Scotland) and Peter Wilson (Locust Valley, N.Y.) are tied for 49^th and 54^th, respectively.

The Bucs will continue with second round play on Saturday, followed by third and final round action on Sunday. Visit Golfstat.com for live scoring and results, or click on ETSUBucs.com to get a complete wrap up of the day's play each evening.