Georgia Southern second at Schenkel Invite

STATESBORO, Ga. – Wilson McDonald shot a 69 and Paul Dunne carded a 70 to stake UAB to the lead after the first round of the Schenkel Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club on Friday. The Blazers finished with a 3-under-par 285 as a team.

Will Evans fired a 69, Scott Wolfes carded a 71 and Hayden Anderson posted a 72 for Georgia Southern, which finished with a 2-under-par 286 and is in second place, one stroke behind UAB.

Four teams – Virginia, Texas, College of Charleston and Ole Miss – are tied for third at 2-over-par. North Florida (+3) is a stroke back, and NC State (+4) is two behind.

North Florida’s Taylor Hancock and Kentucky’s David Snyder each shot 4-under-par 68 to lead the individual standings. Evans (-3) is in a tie with Motin Yeung (Duke), Greg Eason (UCF), Forrest Gamble (Ole Miss) and McDonald (UAB).

Wolfes is in 16th, while Charlie Martin and Matthew Mierzejewski each carded a 74 and are tied for 29th along with teammate Drew Guffey, who is playing as an individual. Eagle Henry Mabbett, who is also playing as an individual, shot a 70 and is tied for eighth.

Evans birdied holes 2, 3 and 7 and made the turn at 1-under. He birdied hole 11 and ran off four straight pars before birdieing two of the last three holes for his 69. Wolfes had birdies on 13, 14 and 16 to play the back nine at 2-under and card his 71.

Anderson posted consecutive birdies on 7 and 8 and was 1-over at the turn. He collected three birdies and two bogeys on the back for his 72. Mabbett birdied three of the last four holes for his 70. Georgia Southern individuals Sam Towler collected a 76 and Christian Humber shot a 79.

Round two is set for Saturday at Forest Heights Country Club with tee times starting at 9 a.m. The Eagles will tee off hole 1 at 10:30 a.m. Mabbett will go off hole 10 at 10:21, followed by Guffey.