12th-ranked Clayton State 10th after first round of Aflac/Cougar Invitational
Lakers’ Wilcox tied for seventh at even-par 71

COLUMBUS, Ga. - October 6, 2008 – Playing in one of the premier fall NCAA Division II golf tournaments, the Clayton State Laker men’s golf team is currently 10th overall at the Aflac/Cougar Invitational on Monday at Country Club of Columbus.

The 12th-ranked Lakers shot a 296 in Monday’s first round to stand 10th in a 17-team field that features 12 teams ranked in the latest Division II Top 25 poll. Clayton State trails Georgia Southwestern by two strokes, top-ranked and defending Division II National Champion West Florida by three strokes, and USC Aiken and Lander both by four strokes.

Host Columbus State is the first round leader after shooting even-par 284 for the opening round. The Cougars hold a two-stroke lead over Lynn.

Individually for Clayton State, senior All-American Will Wilcox, the defending Aflac/Cougar Invitational champion, shot even-par 71 and is currently tied for seventh overall. Wilcox trails first-round leader Jude Eustaquio by three strokes entering Tuesday’s final round. Wilcox recorded three birdies and three bogeys for the opening round.

In addition to Wilcox, freshman Jordan Tyler Massey and junior Neil Thomas are both tied for 37th at 3-over 74. Junior Wade Binfield, meanwhile, is tied for 60th at 6-over 77, while sophomore Kevin Duncan is tied for 85th with an 82.

The second and final round of the Aflac/Cougar Invitational is set for Tuesday at Country Club of Columbus. Clayton State will tee off at 10:20 a.m.