COLUMBUS, Ga.--USC Aiken, the defending NCAA Division II men’s golf champions, continues its torrid start to the 2004-05 season by leading the field at the AFLAC/Cougar Invitational after day one. The Pacers, ranked number one in two national polls, hold a two-stroke advantage over Valdosta State with 18 holes to play.

Participating it their third tournament of the fall, the Pacers have at least shared the lead after each round of all three tournaments. USC Aiken is looking to pick up its fifth consecutive win dating back to the final two tournaments of the 2003-04 season.

Ten teams in the 18-squad field are ranked in the top 25 including the Pacers at one, Armstrong Atlantic State at five, Barry University at seven, Francis Marion at nine, and Barton at number 10.

The 54-hole event is being contested at the 6,936 yard, par 72 Bull Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Ga.

Scott Brown opened the day with an even-par 72. After one time through the course, the junior from North Augusta, S.C. carded a three-under-par 69 in his second round and has sole possession of third place. Fellow junior Dane Burkhart is tied for sixth after rounds of one-over-par 73 and two-under-par 70.

Newcomer Chris McAlister is tied with six other golfers in 11th place at one-over-par after scores of 73 and 72. Casey Thompson posted a pair of two-over-par 74’s and is tied for 28th while James Browning recorded rounds of 79 and 81 and is tied for 86th in the 90-player field.

After opening with a four-over-par 292, the Pacers posted a three-under-par 285 to hold off a charging Valdosta State. VSU fired the best team total of the day with a second round 283 to sit two shots back. Florida Gulf Coast (+5) and Georgia College & State (+5) are tied for third while Delta State (+12) and Armstrong Atlantic State (+12) are another seven shots back in fifth.

Final round action will begin on Tuesday morning and fans can follow the Pacers via live scoring at www.golfstat.com.

AFLAC/COUGAR INVITATIONAL
BULL CREEK G.C. COLUMBUS, GA
PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,936 DATES: OCTOBER 4-5

TEAM RESULTS
1 USC Aiken...........................292 285 577 +1
2 Valdosta State......................296 283 579 +3
3 Florida Gulf Coast.................294 287 581 +5
GC&SU.....................................292 289 581 +5
5 Delta State............................289 299 588 +12
Armstrong Atl. State................292 296 588 +12
7 UNC Pembroke......................299 293 592 +16
Carson-Newman.....................297 295 592 +16
Barry.......................................295 297 592 +16
10 Pfeiffer...............................304 294 598 +22
11 West Georgia.....................301 300 601 +25
12 Barton.................................299 303 602 +26
Presbyterian............................301 301 602 +26
14 Columbus State..................304 300 604 +28
15 North Greenville..................306 303 609 +33
16 Kennesaw State.................308 303 611 +35
Clayton State...........................306 305 611 +35
18 Francis Marion....................306 306 612 +36

USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (+1) (1st)
Scott Brown.....................72 69 141 -3 (3rd)
Dane Burkhart..................73 70 143 -1 (T-6th)
Chris McAlister.................73 72 145 +1 (T-11th)
Casey Thompson.............74 74 148 +4 (T-28th)
James Browning..............79 81 160 +16 (T-86th)

INDIVIDUAL LEADER
Spencer Provow, Valdosta State...........71 68 139 -5 (T-1st)
Joseph Lamielle, FGCU...........................71 68 139 -5 (T-1st)

Media Summary
Team Standings
Individual Standings
Team and Individual Combo