Oct. 12, 2005

HARRISONBURG, Va., Oct. 11, 2005 -- George Mason's Mike Kirby shot a course-record 61 during the tournament's third round Tuesday to lead George Mason to the team championship at the James Madison University Men's Golf Invitational. This is the second tournament the Patriots golfers have won this fall season, after winning the opening tournament at Navy September 10-11.

Kirby had a 54-hole score of 66-70-61--197 to win the tournament's individual title by four strokes over JMU senior Jay Lindell on the 6,517-yard, par-71 Lakeview Golf Course. Kirby's 16-under-par effort led George Mason to a team score of 279-282-275--836 and a one-stroke margin over runner-up Liberty, which had a 279-281-277--837.

Kirby had two eagles, six birdies, and 10 pars during his record round Tuesday and erased the old course record of 63, accomplished on several occasions. His 197 overall score tied the 54-hole JMU Invitational scoring mark, set in 2002 by Penn State's Jim Fuller.

The Virginia Beach, native smashed George Mason records as well. His first round 66 had tied the best score for 18 holes and the 61 obviously breaks that. Kirby's three-round total of 197 breaks the previous Mason record by 11 strokes, set by Craig Mason in the fall of 2002 at the Pirate Fall Invitational.

As a team, the Patriots recorded the lowest 54-hole score in history. Previously, the team record was 869 at the JMU Fall Invite in 2002. Dan Hurley recorded a career-best 208 (71-68-69) to finish in a tie for fifth place. Hurley's previous top finish was tied for 10th at the William and Mary Invite last year. Nick DeSimone finished the final round with an even par 71 to finish tied for 38th (72-74-71--217). Senior Mike Cavanagh (75-70-74--219) finished out the team scoring. David Murname carded a 226 total (70-79-77).

George Mason
1 Mike Kirby 66-70-61--197
T5 Dan Hurley 71-68-69--208
T38 Nick DeSimone 72-74-71--217
T45 Mike Cavanagh 75-70-74--219
T54 David Murname 70-79-77--226

George Mason 279-282-275--836
Liberty University 279-281-277--837
James Madison 285-276-278--839
Drexel's 285-273-281--839
Villanova's 288-283-270--841
Belmont Abbey's 286-278-281--845
Western Carolina's 280-284-281--845
Delaware's 281-284-283--848
St. Bonaventure's 286-282-280--848
Longwood's 291-284-277--852
Cornell's 298-289-283--870
Canisius' 295-294-291--880