April 15, 2005

HOT SPRINGS, VA. (April 15, 2005) - The George Mason golf team sits in fifth place six strokes off first place Towson after the first round of the CAA Men's Golf Championship held at the Cascades Course at The Homestead Resort. The Patriots were led by Junior Mike Kirby (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) who shot an even par 70 over the 6,679-yard layout. He stands in second alone and is only one stroke off leader James Madison University senior Jairo Irreno with the only sub-par round of the day with a 69.

The Patriots shot a 303 on the day with Kirby's 70 leading the team. Trey Bressler (Fairfax, Va./Robinson) shot a (38-39) 77. Mike Cavanagh (Perham, Minn./Hibbing) and Dan Hurley (Leesburg, Va./Loudon) both shot 78, with Cavanagh posting identical 39 shot nines and Hurley shooting 37 and 41 on the second nine. Nick DeSimone (Sykesville, Md./Liberty) posted a (41-38) 79.

The Towson University Tigers fired a team score of 297 on the opening day to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion UNC Wilmington. The Tigers were led by 2004 CAA champion Billy Wingerd (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) who shot a team-best 73.

The Seahawks (298) were paced by senior Brian Joyce (Wilson, N.C./Greenfield School), a 2004 Second Team All-CAA performer, who posted a 71 in windy conditions. Seven-time CAA champion Virginia Commonwealth is just two strokes off the pace at 299. The Rams were led by freshman William Thompson (South Hill, Va./Park View) who fired a 73 and is in a three-way tie for fourth with Wingerd and Old Dominion University senior Adam Condello (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport).

Play resumes for the three-day tournament on Saturday morning at 9:15am. The winner of the CAA Championship will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.

The Cascades Course Hot Springs, VA Dates: 04/15 - 04/17 (Today:04-15-2005) Par: 70 Yardage: 6679

      Fin.   School                   Scores
1   Towson University        297
2   N. Car. Wilmington       298
3   Va. Commonwealth         299
4   James Madison Univ.      302
5   George Mason Univ.       303
6   Wm. & Mary, Coll. of     304
7   Old Dominion Univ.       310
T  8   Drexel University        319
T  8   Hofstra University       319
10   Delaware, U. of          322
5 George Mason
2	Mike Kirby	34-36	70
T 21    Trey Bressler            38- 39      77
T 25    Mike Cavanagh            39- 39      78
T 25    Daniel Hurley            37- 41      78
T 32    Nick DeSimone            41- 38      79