May 5, 2006

WINTER GARDEN, FL - Saint Joseph's is in sixth place after the first round of the Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship, which is being played at the Orange County National Golf Club. The Hawks totalled a 293 on the par 72, 6,837-yard Panther Lake course.

Defending champion Xavier leads the tournament after posting an 11-under par 277. The Musketeers hold a five-stroke lead over Charlotte and Rhode Island, both of whom entered the clubhouse with team scores of 282. Richmond is in fourth place with a 284, while St. Bonaventure (286) and SJU round out the top six. George Washington (294), Dayton (295), Fordham (299), Saint Louis (302), Temple (303), Duquesne (312), and La Salle (314) fill out the field.

Junior Phil Arouca is the Hawks' leader after the round, tying for 11th place with a two-under 70. Billy Stewart, the 2003 medalist, is tied for 20th place with an even par 72.

Four players are tied for the lead with four-under par 68s - Fordham senior Brian McClure, Richmond sophomore Jordan Utley, Richmond junior John Pelet, and Xavier senior Andy Pope. In all, 22 golfers are within four strokes of the lead.

Second round play commences at 8:00 am on Saturday, with the final round of the 54-hole event taking place on Sunday.