October 24, 2008

RAMS IN FIFTH AFTER FIRST ROUND AT LANDFALL
Nadeau, Campos in individual top 10
Full Day One Results

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Virginia Commonwealth University golf coach Matt Ball said before the Landfall Tradition started that the Nicklaus course at the Country Club of Landfall would be a difficult test.

The first round proved Ball correct.

The University of Iowa shot a magnificent two-under-par team total of 286 to take a commanding lead.   Tulsa is in second place, 22 shots back.  VCU is tied for fifth with William and Mary at 22-over-par.

“Iowa being under par, that’s just phenomenal,” Ball said. “This course tests everything.  The greens are fast, the winds are blowing about 30 miles an hour,”

Iowa’s Vince India is the individual leader after a four-under round of 68.  Teammate Cole Peevler is in second at 1-under.  Those two were the only golfers to break par in the opening round.  Iowa is the only team that didn’t have at least one golfer at 80 or above.  In all, 24 of the 60 golfers in the field carded an 80 or higher.

The Rams’ top performers yesterday were juniors Rafael Campos (left) and Vincent Nadeau, who finished the day tied for ninth after three-over-par rounds of 75.   Sophomore Mark Jargren was tied for 32nd after a 79, junior Lanto Griffin was tied for 38th after an 81 and senior Matt Brookbanks was tied for 42nd after an 82.

VCU players started on the 10th hole and “got off to a spectacular start,” Ball said.  “We were under par through three holes and were in great shape.  On the 11th hole, our second, 10 of the first 32 golfers hit it out of bounds.  We didn’t have any.  From our fourth through sixth holes, we just kind of hit a wall and then it became a mental wall.  It lasted about eight or nine holes and then we finished strong.”

 The Rams are one strong hole as a team out of second place.   Iowa is in firm control but Ball knows 36 holes are enough time to make up some ground.

“We have enough talent to pull off what Iowa did today.  If we can learn to accept a bad shot and still hang in there a little bit better, I think we have a chance to definitely get back in the thing,” Ball said.   “Iowa had a great day. There’s two days left.  We know what we need to go do to take care of things.”

For complete results and to follow the tournament live, go to www.golfstats.com.