Virginia Leads Cavalier Classic After Opening Round

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Charlottesville, VA – The 19th-ranked Virginia men’s golf team owns a six-shot lead after Saturday’s opening round of play of the 23rd annual Cavalier Classic at Birdwood Golf Course. UVa shot 3-over 291 to lead the 11-team field. Seton Hall is in second place at 297 and Liberty is third at 298. The final round takes place Sunday.

Virginia was led by sophomore Ben Kohles’ even-par 72. He is tied for second place along with Seton Hall’s Troy Spencer and Casey Johnson of Appalachian State. Seton Hall’s Brandon Park, the only player to shoot below par, leads the 69-player field at 3-under 69.

All four of UVa’s other team competitors joined Kohles in the top 10. Will Collins, Amory Davis and Kyle Stough are tied for fifth at 1-over 73. Mac McLaughlin is 10th at 2-over 74.

UVa has four non-scoring individuals also entered in the field. Henry Smart led that group with a 73 to join the three over Cavaliers in fifth place. Gregor Orlando is 40th at 79, while Steven Rojas and Cole Willcox are tied for 50th at 8-over 80.

“I thought we played well in some tough, windy conditions,” said UVa head coach Bowen Sargent. “The whole team played solid from one through five. We need another good round tomorrow. These guys are certainly capable of playing this course better and can put together the kind of round it takes to win a championship.

“We haven’t won a tournament this year, so Sunday will be a good challenge for them to play well when they are out front.”

Virginia is looking to win its seventh title in the history of the tournament. The Cavaliers won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008 and placed first in 1997, 1995, 1990 and 1988.

Sunday’s tee times have been changed to a split-tee format starting at 8:30 a.m. from the first tee and 8:35 a.m. from the 10th tee to avoid possible inclement weather possible for the region later in the day.

Virginia will tee off starting at 9:40 a.m. from the first tee. UVa will be paired with Seton Hall and Liberty. Virginia’s individual competitors will start at 9:45 a.m. from the 10th tee.

The Cavalier Classic is Virginia’s final tournament of the regular season.

Cavalier Classic
Birdwood Golf Course
Charlottesville, VA
Par-72, 6,875 yards
First Round Results

Team Results
1. Virginia 291
2. Seton Hall 297
3. Liberty 298
4. NC State 303
5. Longwood 304
5. George Mason 304
7. Maryland 310
8. James Madison 312
8. Appalachian State 312
10. Binghamton 313
11. Tennessee State 316

Individual Leaders
1. Brandon Park, Seton Hall 69
2. Troy Spencer, Seton Hall 72
2. Casey Johnson, Appalachian State 72
2. Ben Kohles, Virginia 72
5. Robert Karlsson, Liberty 73
5. Will Collins, Virginia 73
5. Amory Davis, Virginia 73
5. Kyle Stough, Virginia 73
5. Henry Smart, Virginia* 73
10. Matt Hill, NC State 74
10. Adam Webb, Longwood 74
10. Jake Katz, Binghamton 74
10. Silas VanSky, George Mason 74
10. Max McKay, Liberty 74
10. Casey Thompson, George Mason 74
10. David Sampson, Seton Hall 74
10. Brad Revell, NC State 74
10. Mac McLaughlin, Virginia 74
10. Hertzog Landman, NC State* 74

Virginia Results
2. Ben Kohles 72
5. Will Collins 73
5. Amory Davis 73
5. Kyle Stough 73
5. Henry Smart* 73
10. Mac McLaughlin 74
40. Gregor Orlando* 79
50. Steven Rojas* 80
50. Cole Willcox* 80
* Competing as individual