Golf Third After First Day of Puerto Rico Classic

Feb. 28, 2005

Martin Catalioto shot a career best 68 and senior Jack Ferguson had a season best 69 to lead Clemson to a 280 team score and a third-place standing after the first round of the Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The 18-team 54-hole event is being played at the West Rio Mar Golf Club River Course, a par 72 layout that is 6,945 yards.

Clemson is in a tie for third place with an eight-under-par 280 after the first 18 holes, just two strokes behind leader Georgia, who is a 278. Florida stands second at 279. The Tigers are tied with Georgia Tech. Nine-time National Champion Oklahoma State is fifth at 282 and Arizona State is sixth at 284. NC State is next at 286 and Oklahoma stands eighth at 287. ACC teams Duke (10th at 292) and Virginia Tech (17th, 301) are also in the national field.

Clemson’s 280 team score is the second best of the year, trailing only a 276 recorded at the Jerry Pate Invitational in Birmingham on October 12. The eight-under par was tied for the bets this season.

Catalioto had nine-hole scores of 34-34 in scoring his 68 and he stands tied for fourth in the individual race after the first round, three stokes behind James Vargas of Florida. Ferguson had nine-hole scores of 35-34 in scoring his 69. It was the 22nd round in the 60s for Ferguson, the only remaining starter from Clemson’s 2003 National Championship team.

Brian Duncan was a third Tiger under par, as the native of Greenville had a 71. Brent Delahoussaye had a 34 on the front nine, but had a 38 on the back in scoring his second score at par this year (72). Stephen Poole had a 75 in the first round, including an even par 36 on the back.

The tournament continues on Monday and Tuesday with 18 holes each day.