May 6, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman University men's golf team finished a blustery opening round of the 25th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management Friday tied for the lead.

B-CU shares first with Texas-Pan American with a 12-over par 300, with Texas Southern (303) in third.

With winds gusting up to 25 miles per hour, only two players broke par on the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses at PGA Golf Club - Texas Southern sophomore Dominique Worthern and Alabama State junior Scott Benson.

Both players shot 2-under-par 70 on the Ryder Course. Matthew McKnight paced the Wildcats with an even par 72, followed by Alexander Clapp (75), Rafael Abad (76), Jamichael Jones (77) and Emmanuel Petrich (80).

In the women's competition, the defending champion Wildcats and Kim Wong finished the day within striking range of the lead. Texas Pan-American leads Hampton by two strokes, 310-312, with B-CU 12 behind at 312.

Hampton's Kayla Williams has a one-shot over Wong. Wong, the defending medalist, posted a 74. Other B-CU scores include Maxine Gardner (90).

The 25th edition of the championship features nearly 160 players representing 40 colleges and universities. The 54-hole championship concludes Sunday.