Monday, March 05, 2001

Johnson City, Tenn. -- East Tennessee State senior Patrick Beste is in first place after two rounds of the Birkdale Collegiate Classic and has led the Bucs to a five-shot lead with one round to play at the Birkdale Golf Course in Huntersville, N.C.

As a team, ETSU fired a two-round, three-under par 573 (290-283), to lead by five strokes over second-place Wake Forest University. Their second-round score set a team record for a round at the Birkdale Golf Course.

Beste is the overall leader after carding a two-round 158 (70-68). His second round score missed the course record by three strokes.

All five of ETSU’s players are in the top-14. Sophomores James Johnson (73-71--144) and Thomas Lee (73-71--144) are tied for fourth. Johnson notched an eagle while Lee leads the event with a -4 on par-4 holes. Senior Chris Wisler (71-76--147) is tied for 10th while sophomore Adam Riddering (75-73--148) is tied for 14th.

Wake Forest is five shots back with a two-round 578 (285-293). The Demon Deacon’s Bill Haas (71-71--142) trails Beste by one stroke while teammate Brent Wanner (72-71) is two shots back. Georgia State is in third place after shooting a 588 (295-293) today.

The final round of the Birkdale Collegiate Classic will be played tomorrow, March 6.