March 31, 2007
EVANS, Ga. – For the second time in three tournaments, Notre Dame fell victim to a sluggish nine-hole stretch in the second round, dropping into a tie for 17th place after 36 holes at the Administaff Augusta State Invitational, which continued Saturday at the Champions Retreat Golf Club (par 72/7,265 yards) in Evans, Ga. The Irish have a two-round total of 18-over par 594 (294-300), placing them even with Virginia in a tightly-bunched field where 10 strokes separate sixth from 17th place. No. 17 North Carolina remains the tournament leader at 16-under par 560.
Notre Dame’s two senior captains, Cole Isban (South Bend, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) and Adam Gifford (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth), are tied for 20th place at one-over par 145. Isban shot an even-par 72 in his second round, getting back to level with a closing birdie. Meanwhile, Gifford covered his second circuit in two-over par 74 after going under par with a 71 in his opening round.
Sophomore Josh Sandman (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford) currently stands in a tie for 50th place at five-over par 149 (72-77), with his troubles confined mainly to a four-hole stretch in the middle of his round where he was four-over par. Freshman Doug Fortner (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) is at 11-over par 155 (78-77) and tied for 82nd place, while junior Eddie Peckels (Pinehurst, N.C./Pope John Paul II (Fla.)) is in 88th place at 20-over par 164 (80-84).
Notre Dame will try to make up some of its deficit in Sunday’s final round of the Administaff Augusta State Invitational, starting at 9:30 a.m. (ET) from the 10th tee at Champions Retreat. Live in-progress scoring is available on the Golfstat web site and full results will be posted on the official Notre Dame athletics web site (www.und.com) at the conclusion of the day’s competition, as well as on the Notre Dame Sports Hotline (574-631-3000).
— ND —