April 20, 2001

ORLANDO, FLA. - The University of Virginia's golf team is currently in fifth place after the Cavaliers shot a one-over-par 289 on the first day of the 48th annual Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Golf championship at Disney's Magnolia Course. Georgia Tech shot an eight-under 280 to take the lead after the first round on the par 72, 7,093-yard course. The Yellow Jackets led the way with three of the top six individual finishers, including All-American Bryce Molder, who shot a three-under 69. Senior John Engler of Clemson, who shot a six-under par 66, is the individual leader after the first round. Engler had three birdies on each side without a bogie. He is looking for his fourth consecutive top five finish.

Dustin Bray, a North Carolina freshman, fired a five-under par 67 and is in second place while Wake Forest freshman Bill Haas was next with a four-under par 68. Molder, who won by four strokes a year ago, carded a three-under par 69. Wake Forest is one stroke behind Tech in the team race with a 281 while Clemson is third at four-under par 284 and N.C. State is fourth with a one under-par 287. North Carolina, 290, Duke, 291, Florida State, 302 and Maryland, 312 round out the nine-team field. A total of 15 players posted sub-par rounds. The second round of the tournament will be played Saturday and the final round of the 54-hole event will be played Sunday.

Leading the way for Virginia are freshman Rusty Kennedy and senior Cameron Yancey, who are both tied for eighth place with a score of one-under-par 71. Junior Steve Marino is tied for 19th with a one-over-par score of 73. Freshman Kevin O'Connell is tied for 25th with a two-over-par 74. Rounding out the Virginia players is senior Mike Mitchell, who is tied for 37th with a five-over-par 77.

Atlantic Coast Conference (Team Standings) 1. Georgia Tech 280 (-8), 2. Wake Forest 281 (-7), 3. Clemson 284 (-4), 4. N.C. State 287 (-1), 5. VIRGINIA 289 (+1), 6. North Carolina 290 (+2), 7. Duke 291 (+3), 8. Florida State 302 (+14), 9. Maryland 312 (+24).

Virginia Individual Standings T8. Rusty Kennedy 71 (-1), T8. Cameron Yancey 71 (-1), T19. Steve Marino 73 (+1), T25. Kevin O'Connell 74 (+2), T37. Mike Mitchell 77 (+5).