May 16, 2008

IRVING, Texas - SMU carded an 8-under 276 in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Men's Golf East Regional and is in third place following the opening 18 holes. Freshman Kelly Kraft shot a blazing 66 at the par 71 Council Fire Golf Club to lead SMU and to tie for third individually.

Sophomore Ben Tewes backed up Kraft's 66 with a 68 and is tied for 15th. Dan Kleckner also broke par and shot 70 to tie for 33rd. Scott Barton's 72 was good for 60th, while James Minahan rounded out the SMU squad in 125th at 76.

Both UAB and Memphis are also competing in the East Regional. The Blazers carded an opening round three-over par 287 and are tied for 20th. Junior Zach Sucher, the nation's 20th-ranked golfer entering the event, led UAB with a two-under par 69. The Mobile, Ala. native recorded four birdies, three coming on the front nine, and two bogeys during his round. Sucher's score could have even been lower, but his birdie putts on No.'s 10, 13 and 14 all touched the edge of the hole, but did not drop. He will enter the second round tied for 21st overall.

Memphis shot a five-over par 289 as a team in the opening round and is alone in 23rd place. Junior Brad Benjamin led the way for the Tigers, firing an even par 71. Senior Robbie Greenwell shot a one over and senior Kyle Ritchie and sophomore Brandon Bunn each shot a score of two over. Ian Rochester carded a four over. The Tigers are in 23rd place after round one.

No. 25 UCF posted a score of 301 (+13) and is tied for 11th with UNLV after first-round action of the NCAA West Regional on Thursday at the Gold Mountain Golf Club. Senior Giwon Suh led the Knights with a 74 (+2) on the 7,111-yard layout as the team combined for 12 birdies during the opening 18 holes.

Second round action at both regionals tees off Friday morning. The top 10 teams and two individuals not on advancing team from each regional gain entry to the NCAA Championships hosted by Purdue, May 28-31.