May 27, 2003

TUCSON, Ariz. - Playing shorthanded due to an illness, the University of Arizona men's golf team is in 14th place after Tuesday's first round of the 2003 NCAA Men's Golf Championships in Stillwater, Okla.

Making its 17th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships, the Wildcats posted a 19-over-par 307 total in the opening round and currently stands in 14th place. Due to an illness to senior Reid Hatley, Arizona was forced to count the remaining four players' scores toward the team total. The opening-round 307 was the team's worst round at the NCAA Championships since the second round of the 1999 Championships, a span of 13 rounds. Tournament-host Oklahoma State, North Carolina State, Clemson and Auburn are tied for the lead in the 30-team field with an 11-over 299 total.

Individually, senior Ricky Barnes and Chris Nallen are tied for 29th place with three-over 75 totals. For Barnes, who is seeking his fourth consecutive top-20 finish at the NCAA Championships, his round was highlighted by a hole-in-one on No. 3, a 194-yard par three. His first-round 73 is Barnes' highest opening-round tally in four career NCAA Championship appearances.

Following a rough start in which he was three-over after just two holes, Nallen responded with 15 consecutive pars to finish at 75. Prior to these Championships, Nallen was a combined nine-under par in his two previous NCAA Championship appearances. Auburn's Lee Williams leads the 156-man field with a three-under 69. That was one of only four under-par rounds on the day.

Also competing for the Wildcats was senior Andrew Medley, who is tied for 44th place at 76 (+4), and senior Brian Woolf, who is tied for 106th place at 81 (+9).

The 72-hole 2003 NCAA Men's Golf Championships run through Friday at Karsten Creek Golf Club, a par-72, 7,095-yard layout.

Top Five Teams	                 	Top Five Individuals
1.  Oklahoma State	  299 (+11)	1.  Lee Williams, Auburn	  35-34=69 (-3)
    North Carolina State  299 (+11)	2.  Chris Stroud, Lamar 	  35-35=70 (-2)
    Clemson	          299 (+11)	    Oliver Wilson, Augusta State  35-35=70 (-2)
    Auburn	          299 (+11)	4.  Matthew Rosenfield, Texas	  37-34=71 (-1)
5.  USC	                  300 (+12)	5.  eight golfers tied at  	      72=72 (E)
    Duke	          300 (+12)

                             		Arizona Finishers
                         		 T29.  Ricky Barnes	36-39=75 (+3)
                        		 T29.  Chris Nallen	39-36=75 (+3)
                        		 T44.  Andrew Medley	37-39=76 (+4)
                          		T106.  Brian Woolf	40-41=81 (+9)
		                               Reid Hatley	WD