Oct. 24, 2008

GALLOWAY, N.J. - In the first round of play at the Columbia Invitational on Friday, Villanova registered a team score of 301 and was in 14th place at the Galloway National Golf Course. This weekend's tournament includes 15 teams at the par-71, 6,691-yard course in New Jersey. Play continues with the second round on Saturday, which begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Senior Doug Stadler led the Wildcats in Friday's round with a score of 78 and was tied for 30th place in the field of 81 golfers. Stadler and sophomore Conor Casey each posted a score of 36 on the front nine while Stadler came in with a 42 to lead the team. Casey ended up with a score of 83 and was tied for 65th place overall.

Sophomore Brendan Kelly had the second-best team score with a round of 79 and is currently tied for 38th place. Rounding out the individual scores for Villanova were freshman Eddie Ryan and sophomore Joe Bernard. Ryan carded an 86 and is tied for 75th place while Bernard shot an 87 and is tied for 77th.

After the start of play was delayed by one hour due to frost this morning, three squads came out and tied for the team lead. Eastern Kentucky, Georgetown and St. John's all have a team score of 301 entering play on Saturday. Meanwhile, Michael Blodgett of Penn is in the individual lead after a score of 71. He was the lone player in the field to have a score of even par for the day.

The Wildcats will be paired with Navy and Princeton for Saturday's round and will begin play on holes 16, 17 and 18.