May 19, 2005

FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU Horned Frogs, seeded third, opened the NCAA Central Regional on Thursday at Notre Dame University's Warren Golf Course (7,011 yards, par 70) in South Bend, Ind. The Frogs currently reside in 13th place with an 11-over score, but TCU is one of 12 teams that still must finish the first round, which was delayed by three hours at the start due to weather.

The best team score among the finishers is owned by Missouri, who posted a 285 (+5) in the morning. TCU's playing partners, top-seeded Oklahoma State and No. 2 seed August State are 3- and 4-over-par respectively. Like TCU, both teams have one player with just one hole remaining.

Senior David Schultz turned in the Frogs' top performance by firing an even-par 70 on the day. He had three birdies and three bogeys. Just seven of the field's 141 players are below par, four of whom still have holes to play.

Conference USA Co-Medalist Drew Stoltz notched a 73 (+3) in the first round. He had one birdie, two bogeys and one double bogey. Junior Colby Beckstrom, who last week played in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, carded a 4-over 74. Beckstrom played 2-over-par golf on each side, and his back nine included eight pars and one double.

Senior J.J. Killeen, who has the 18th hole to play, also has a 4-over score. Killeen stumbled out of the blocks with a pair of double bogeys in the first four holes, but has played even par the rest of the way. Indiana native James Sacheck, a true freshman, shot a 80 (+10). He was just 4-over through 15 holes, but suffered a quadruple bogey on the 16th and a double bogey on the final hole to close.

Following the 54-hole event, which runs through Saturday, the top 10 squads and the top two individuals on non-qualifying teams will advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be held June 1-4 at the Caves Valley Golf Course (7,124 yards, par 70) in Owings Mills, Md.

This marks the 16th straight regional appearance for the Frogs under head coach Bill Montigel. TCU has advanced to the NCAA Championships 13 times in school history, including 10 of the past 14 seasons. Last year, the Horned Frogs tied for 20th at the NCAA Championships after advancing with a fifth-place finish at regionals.

For live scoring of the three-day tournament, visit www.golfstat.com. The Horned Frogs are scheduled to tee off at 7:12 a.m. on Friday.

-www.gofrogs.com-