2006 PGA National Minority Collegiate Golf Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Sophomore Kyle Tudi of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, leads the Division I individual standings after the first round of the 20th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. Tudi posted a 3-under-par 69 at the 6,760-yard, par-72 PGA Golf Club and leads teammate Shane Pearce by two strokes.
"I played a solid round today and only had one bad hole on No. 7, where I made a double-bogey," said Tudi, of Phoenix, Ariz. "I came back strong on the back nine and made a birdie on No. 10 from 15 feet, which got me in the groove for the rest of my round."
Tudi finished in a tie for 18th place in last year's Championship, which was contested on the North Course. This year the Championship is being held on the South Course due to the upcoming two-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement program beginning this month at PGA Golf Club.
"I enjoy playing the South Course much more," Tudi explained. "It's more challenging and fits my game better because it's tighter and forces the golfer to be more precise."
The University of Texas-Pan American leads the Division I team standings with a team total of even-par 288, 11 strokes ahead of Jackson (Miss.) State University.
Zac Gelow of Savannah (Ga.) State University, had the shot of the day with a hole-in-one on the 175-yard sixth hole.
"The wind was blowing from left to right so I picked up a 5-iron and I made the perfect swing," said Gelow, a sophomore who finished fourth in the Men's Independent Division in 2005. "The ball landed two inches behind the hole and rolled back in. It was my first hole-in-one ever and it couldn't have come at a better time!"
In the Men's Division II team standings, Fayetteville (N.C.) State University takes a 13-stroke lead over Morehouse College of Atlanta, Ga. Sophomore Ian Milne of Fayetteville State helped his team by firing a 1-over-par 73 to lead the Division II individual standings over teammate Derek Scott and Jordan Heath of Morehouse College, who each carded 74s.
"The conditions were tough this afternoon but the hole locations were fairly decent, which allowed me to make several pars," said Milne, who was in a tie for first place after the first round last year. "I feel I have a slight advantage coming back to the Championship this year, which has made me feel more comfortable. I am pleased with my play today. I made good iron shots into the greens that set up great putting opportunities to capitalize on."
In the Women's Team Division, Nikeda Cooks of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., fired a 4-over-par 76 to take a three-shot lead over teammate Maria Dunne of Dublin, Ireland. Cooks relied on her putter to carry her to the top of the leader board and boost her team to a one-stroke lead over the three-time defending Champion Lady Broncs from Texas-Pan American.
"I am pleased with my round as the wind picked up this afternoon, which could have caused some difficulties," said Cooks, a senior from Los Angeles, Calif. "My putting was the strong part of my game as I birdied Nos. 7 and 8, and knocked in three long putts off the green today."
Johnson & Wales University of North Miami, Fla., the only team participating in the newly formed NAIA division, turned-in a team 4-under-par 284.
Mike Chappell of Jackson State carded a 4-under-par 76 to lead the Men's Independent Division standings, while Deztany O've Jackson of Old Dominion University finished with a 26-over-par 98 to lead the Women's Independent Division standings.
Approximately 125 contestants from 28 colleges and universities, representing 14 countries comprise the field for the 20th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. The Championship concludes after the third round on Sunday, May 7. State Farm Insurance and The Golf Channel have combined to produce a one-hour Championship highlight program, which will air on July 6, 2006, at 6 p.m. EDT.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
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