Oct. 8, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The No. 17-ranked UAB men's golf team shattered school records en route to closing the day in third place overall with a 23-under par 545 (283-262) through two rounds of the Jerry Pate National at the Old Overton Golf Course. The Blazers' second round 262 shattered the former 18-hole school record mark of 273, while the 36-hole 545 is yet another school record, breaking the former mark of 561.

The field is one of the toughest the Blazers will play against all season, as it features six teams ranked among the top-25 teams in the nation, including No. 3 Alabama and No. 9 Auburn.

"We played terrific this afternoon," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "If we can finish strong, this will really cement us among the top teams in college golf. I thought we played great from top to bottom and that's what you need to do in this tournament with so many good teams. I am very pleased with our performance today."

The Blazers 18-hole record mark during the second round demolished the former record by 11 strokes, set during the opening round of the 2003 Mason Rudolph Collegiate on Sept. 22, 2003. Furthermore, UAB crushed the former 36-hole record by 15 strokes, which was accomplished on a pair of occasions, most recently last season during the opening day of the 2006 Barona Collegiate Cup.

Part of the reason for UAB's record-setting performance was the direct result of several UAB golfers with record-low rounds. Redshirt sophomore Cathal O'Malley set a pair of career-low marks, carding a nine-under 133 (69-64) on the par-71, 6,958-yard Old Overton course. O'Malley's second round 64 tied for the third-lowest 18-hole mark in school history, while the 133 was also the third-lowest 36-hole result in UAB lore.

In addition to O'Malley's performance, senior Kyle Sapp also had a career day, setting career-best marks for 18 holes (65) and 36 holes (135), and will enter the tournament's final round tied for 10th overall with a seven-under 135 (70-65).

Junior All-America Zach Sucher's second-round 65 tied his career-best 18-hole mark, and he will enter Tuesday's last 18 holes tied for 13th overall with a five-under 137 (72-65). Sapp and Sucher's second round 65s tied for the fourth-lowest 18-hole marks in the school's record books.

Senior Brad Smith, who has led UAB through the opening two tournaments and is the reigning Conference USA Men's Golfer of the Week, finished the day at two-under par 140 (72-68) and is tied for 24th entering the final round. Sophomore Adam West, playing in his first career tournament, rounds out the UAB golfers with a 152 (77-75) and is tied for 58th overall.

UAB's second round mark was the day's lowest score and featured four Blazers carding a 68 or better during the day's final 18 holes. No. 2 Alabama leads the event with a 30-under par 538 (270-268), while UNLV is one stroke up on the Blazers, finishing the day at 24-under par with a 544 (273-271).

North Carolina is in fourth with a 548 (278-270), while No. 9 Auburn rounds out the top five with a 550 (284-266). Other ranked teams competing in the field include No. 18 Florida (6th/553), No. 21 Texas (7th/560) and No. 13 Texas Tech (8th/561).

UAB will look to continue its success during the final round of the Jerry Pate on Tuesday at the Old Overton golf course. The Blazers will tee off at 8:50 a.m. CT. Admission is free for the general public.