March 15, 2005

ROCK HILL, S.C. - George Mason opened its spring competitive season with a seventh-place finish at the Winthrop Waterford Invitational, held Tuesday at the par-72, 6,788 yard Waterford Golf Course in Rock Hill, S.C. Mason posted a team score of 610 after back-to-back 305 totals during the two-day tournament. Junior Mike Kirby (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) finished third overall for Mason with 1-over-par score of 145 (71-74). He entered the second round tied for the individual lead. Tennessee Tech took home top team honors with a two-day total of 589. Gardner-Webb was second (592) followed by High Point (595). Western Carolina's Matt Cook (71-71=142) won the individual title in a playoff over Gardner-Webb's Rory McCaughna (73-69=142).

Mason sophomore Dan Hurley (Leesburg, Va./Loudoun County) tied for 20th after firing 150 (74-76). Freshman Ryan Younger (Madison, Wis./Madison Memorial) improved two spots by carding a 78 in round two for a 158 score and a tie for 45th. Sophomore Trey Bressler (Fairfax, Va./Robinson Secondary) made a big leap from 69th to finish in a tie at 58 after sinking 84-77=161. Freshman David Murnane (Millersville, Md./Severna Park) tied for 73rd.

George Mason continues its spring season next week, Monday and Tuesday, Mar. 21-22, at the William & Mary Colonial Invitational.

WINTHROP WATERFORD INVITATIONAL (March 14-15, 2005)
Par 72/6788 yards, Rock Hill, N.C. (Final Results)

AGATE: (1) Tennessee Tech 294-295=589; (2) Gardner-Webb 299-293=592; (3) High Point 308-287=595; (4) Jackson State 303-296=599; (5) Lipscomb 300-301=601; (6) Winthrop 309-297=606; (7) George Mason 305-305=610; (8) Western Carolina 306-305=611; (9) Liberty 313-307=620; (10) Birmingham Southern 304-313=622; (11) Detroit 312-316=628; (12) Radford 326-305=631; (13) New York 325-311=636; (14) Stetson 321-317=638; (15) Citadel 326-320=646

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS
1. Matt Cook (WCU) 71-71=142**
2. Rory McCaughna (G-WU) 73-69=142
3. Mike Kirby (Mason) 71-74=145
4. Eric Anderson (TTU) 72-74=146
    Matthew Hammond (HP) 75-71=146
** Won in a playoff
MASON FINISHES
T20. Dan Hurley 74-76=150
T45. Ryan Younger 80-78=158
T58. Trey Bressler 84-77=161
T73. David Murnane 80-84=164