TAMPA, Fla. - On the first day of the three-day, 54-hole Dick Wittcoff/USF Invitational, the Kansas State men’s golf team fired a 303 (+19) and is tied for fifh place with Middle Tennessee State. Host South Florida fired a 300 and holds a one-stroke advantage over Florida Southern at the Dick Wittcoff/USF Invitational. The event is being played at The Claw at the University of South Florida.

“It’s a pretty challenging course,” head coach Tim Norris said. “The greens are the smallest greens we’ve played this year by far. The scoring was really high considering the playing conditions were good.”

Leading the way for the Wildcats, and playing as an individual, is freshman Kyle Yonke. Yonke is tied for fourth and one-stroke off the pace for the tournament lead, as he carded a 1-over 72. Because Yonke is playing as an individual, his score does not count toward the team score.

Fresh off winning co-medalist honors at the Matlock Invitational, senior Matt Van Cleave fired a 2-over 73 and is tied for seventh place. Fellow senior Nick Schumacher followed up his 10th-place finish at the Matlock, and carded a 4-over 75 and is tied for 14th.

Rounding out the field for the Wildcats are juniors Tyler Cummins, Jonathan James and Ben Kern. Kern is tied for 27th after shooting a 6-over 77. James carded a 7-over 78 and is tied for 38th. Cummins fired a 10-over 81 and is tied for 64th.

“It’s a hard course to score on,” Norris said. “But with this being a three-day tournament, we have a better chance to adjust and come out tommorrow with a better gameplan.”

The Wildcats continue play at the Dick Wittcoff/USF Invitational on Saturday and conclude the final round Sunday. For complete tournament results, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.k-statesports.com.

Men’s Collegiate Golf
Dick Wittcoff/USF Invitational
Tampa, Fla.
The Claw
Par: 71; Yardage: 6,830

Team Scores: 1. South Florida, 300; 2. South Florida, 301; T3. Columbus State 302; T3. Francis Mariion, 302; T5. Kansas State, 303; T5. Middle Tennessee State, 303; 7. Belmont Abbey, 304; 8. Mercer, 305; 9. Southwest Missouri State, 306; 10. Austin Peay, 307; 11. Tennessee Chattanooga, 311; 12. Florida Atlantic, 315; 13. St. John’s, 316; T14. DePaul, 320; T14. Florida Gulf Coast, 320.

Top Individuals: T1. Brandon Kuban, (Columbus St.) 71 (E); T1. Nick Bailes, (Middle Tennessee St.) 71 (E); Brandan Price (Mercer) 71 (E); T4.* Kyle Yonke, (K-State) 72 (+1); T4. Matt Sullivan (SMS) 72 (+1); T4. Kevin McPherson (Belmont) 72 (+1).

Wildcat Individuals: T7. Matt Van Cleave, 73 (+2); T14. Nick Schumacher, 75 (+4); T27. Ben Kern, 77 (+6); T38. Jonathan James, 78 (+7); T64. Tyler Cummins, 81 (+10).

* Competed as an individual

K-StateSports Men's Golf

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