March 18, 2008

Day one recap

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Northern Colorado's men's golf team entered the second day of the UALR First Tee Collegiate Classic in 14th place and looking to make a move toward the top 10.

The Bears were unable to make up any ground in the event's final 18 holes, though. Northern Colorado shot a second-round 321 (+33) for a three-round, two-day team total of 959 (+95) at the 7,221-yard, par 72 Chenal Country Club.

The Bears stayed ahead of last-place Centenary (1018, +154) in the final team standings Tuesday but fell further behind 13th-place Arkansas-Fort Smith (949, +85).

Sam Houston State (893, +29) captured the team title, while Central Arkansas (899, +35) came in second. Central Arkansas' Gideon Pienaar won the event's individual title after shooting a 1-under-par 71 on Tuesday, giving him a 219 (+3) for the tournament.

Derek Hofmeister (238, +22) earned Northern Colorado's top individual finsih, tying for 49th. Stephen Bidne (241, +25) tied for 57th, but his third-round 78 was the Bears best individual round Tuesday. Kyle Burns (243, +27) tied for 64th, Alberto Dell'Anna (244, +28) tied for 67th and Richard Lash (253, +37) tied for 73rd.

Northern Colorado will next compete in the University of Oregon Duck Classic on Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and 25, in Eugene, Ore.