Sept. 26, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -
Senior Matt Maskel fired a first-round 65, matching the course record as he finished with a two-round total of 139 (65, 74), in third-place and one shot off of the lead after the first day at the Cardinal Intercollegiate. Junior Matt Miller also posted a second-round 66, including his second career hole-in-one. Miller finished the day with a two-round total of 140 (74, 66), tied for fourth-place and two shots off the lead.
The Redbirds finished day one in sixth-place with a two-round total of 577 (287, 290) and nine shots off the lead. Seven of the fifteen participating teams are within 10 shots of each other after day one.
Head coach Ray Kralis was glad to be in attendance for Miller's hole-in-one on the par 3, 210-yard 3rd hole.
"It was pretty cool to witness Miller's hole-in-one," said Kralis. "He hit a great five iron, and the ball covered the flag the entire time. It hit just left of the hole and spun back in. There were definitely a lot of high-fives going around after that."
Kralis was also pleased to see Maskel's record-tying performance after a few early season struggles.
"Today was a huge round for Maskel," said Kralis. "I have never doubted his abilities. He has the ability to shoot low scores and be a very dangerous player."
Senior Chris Eddy fired a first-round one-over-par 73 and finished the day with a two-round total of 149 (73, 76), tied for 37th with teammate Kris Wildenradt as he also shot a two-round total of 149 (75, 74). Senior Jason Kemp rounded out the Redbird lineup by shooting a two-round total of 153 (75, 78), putting him tied for 59th.
Host Louisville finished day one in the lead, shooting a team total of 568 (285,283). Townson's Jeff Castle and Austin Peay's Chris Barron both shot a two-round total of 138 (69, 69) to share the lead after the first day of play.
Kralis believes that the `Birds can improve their scores as they head into tomorrow's rounds.
"I feel that the team can shoot even lower tomorrow," said Kralis. "It's going to take a team effort. But I feel that we have the fire power to do it."
The Redbirds resume play on Tuesday beginning at 9:15 a.m., for the final 18 holes of the tournament.
