Sept. 11, 2007

TROY, Ala. --- The Samford men's golf team kicked off the fall season Monday as they began play in the Troy University Invitational. The Bulldogs currently sit in a tie at fifth place with Nicholls State University after two rounds of play. The Samford men shot 609 (305-304) in the first day of play at Lagoon Park.

The University of New Orleans currently leads the field with host team Troy trailing just four shots behind in second place. Liberty University is in third place and fellow Ohio Valley Conference competitor Austin Peay is in fourth place. With Samford and Nicholls State tied at fifth, that rounds out the top five. Jackson State University comes in at seventh place, McNeese State in eighth, and Birmingham-Southern in ninth.

For the Bulldogs, newcomers Martin Bunt, Ian Cutting and Chris Duffy lead the field in a tie at 23rd place. The two freshmen and junior transfer shot 151 on Monday (Bunt, 79-72; Cutting, 72-79; Duffy, 76-75). Senior Bulldog John Turnipseed is in a tie at 36th, shooting 156 (78-78), while another freshman in Houston Hough rounds out the Samford playing five at 52nd place (80-83=163).

Playing as an individual are junior Bobby Baird and his younger brother freshman Tyler Baird. Bobby sits in the top ten right now in a tie at seventh place (74-74=148) while Tyler is tied at 46th (77-83=160).

The Troy Invitational concludes Tuesday afternoon. Check www.samfordsports.com for a full recap and scores.