April 28, 2008

Peru, Ind. - With the winner gaining an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships, getting off to a good start is a must at the Region VIII Men's Golf Tournament Tournament. Davenport did just that today as they braved the terrible weather to post a 36-hole team score of 610 which was good enough to sit in first place with only 18 holes remaining.

After gaining momentum by winning their Furniture City Classic a week ago, Davenport came out hot against the best teams in the Region at Rock Hollow Golf Club in Peru, IN. The Panthers. knowing that only a win this week would vault them into the National Championships later this month, posted the low round in each 18-hole stretch today to lead by eight shots. Davenport sits at 610 and followed by Marian College (618) and Huntington University (621).

The weather was the big story on day one which turned for the worse about 9-holes into the tournament. After beginning the day with the temperatures in the upper 50's and low 60's, a severe cold front moved through the region and lowered the temperature into the mid-40's while also bringing a steady rain with it.

The Panthers would stand tough though and were led by Freshman Kevin Palmer and Zac Bested in each of the first two rounds. Bested, the reigning WHAC Player of the Year posted his lowest round of the spring in the opening 18-holes with a 73 and followed it with an 81 in round two. Palmer, who has played steady golf all spring shot 76-72 which placed him atop the individual standings with another golfer from Indiana Wesleyan.

Other scores for the Panthers on Day One were Adam Thomas (77-79-156), Nick Boone (76-81-157) and Kale Waaso (85-76-161).

Davenport will look to claim their first ever regional championship tomorrow when they tee off just before noon at Rock Hollow.