Sept. 8, 2008

DENTON, Texas - The Samford University men's golf team finished the opening day of the 2008 Cobb-Ferrell Mean Green Classic in ninth place Monday following a 23-over total of 599 in the first two rounds held at the Lantana Country Club.

Samford carded an 11-over 299 in the opening 18 holes of play before turning in a 12-over 300 in the second round. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock led all 12 teams with a day one total of 575.

The third-and-final round will be played Tuesday.

Monday, the Bulldogs' Ian Cutting paced the team with a 1-under 143 in the first 36 holes of play. After shooting an even-par 72 in the first round, Samford's talented senior tallied a 1-under 71 in the final 18 holes. Fellow-senior Andrew Villarreal finished the first two rounds tied for 24th place with a 4-over 148 (72-76).

Samford's Tyler Baird turned in a two-round scorecard of 154 (77-77), while Jeremy Cox finished with a 156 (78-78) and Bobby Baird carded a total of 157 (81-76).

The Bulldogs' Martin Bunt competed as an individual Monday and tallied an even-par 144. A native of Pensacola, Fla., Samford's sophomore finished with the tournament's best non-team performance of the day and is tied for eighth place.

The Samford University men's golf team will conclude play in the 2008 Cobb-Ferrell Mean Green Classic on Tuesday morning as the Bulldogs compete in the final round of action at the Lantana Country Club (par 72/7,147 yards).