BREMERTON, Wash. – UNC Greensboro senior Nathan Stamey recovered from a slow start to card an opening round 75 at the NCAA West Regional on Thursday, played at the 7,111-yard Gold Mountain GC.
Stamey, playing in the last group to tee off, started out on the back 9. He bogeyed Nos. 12 and 13 to fall to two-over. After consective pars on Nos. 14 and 15, Stamey had back-to-back bogeyes on Nos. 16 and 17. However, he birdied No. 18 to show signs of a rally and finish the back side in 39.
Stamey began the front with bogey, birdie, bogey, but then settled in. He parred five of his final six holes, and added a birdie on the par-4 seventh for good measure, to finish the front side even-up. He sits in a tie for 49th place in the field of 141 players.
Oregon’s Joey Benedetti has the lead after 18 holes, carding an opening round 69. Pepperdine’s Eric Shiver is one shot back in second, before a six-way tie for third two shots behind Benedetti.
Oregon holds the team lead with a score of 289, two shots better than Southern California, UCLA and Washington.
It is the first time that a Spartan has earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament in the Division I era. The last UNCG men’s golfer to earn a spot in the tournament came 21 years ago when Todd Jackson earned a place in the Division III Tournament as an individual. Only one Spartan has ever won a national title – Ryan Fox in 1981.
A total of 30 teams – 10 from each regional – and six individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship, May 28-31 at Purdue in West Lafayette, IN.
Stamey’s group will get underway on Friday at 8:53 am PT.
- UNCG -