USCB men's golf open season

The USC Beaufort men's golf team started its season with a solid showing in the opening round of the USC Aiken Invitational on Monday at Kiawah Island's Cougar Point Golf Club, carding a team score of 293. The Sand Sharks sit in fifth place at the midway point of the 36-hole tournament, which concludes today.

The Sand Sharks are three shots behind fourth-place Belmont Abbey and 16 shots back of leader USC Aiken, which carded a 277. Coker College is second at 278, and Georgia College and State University is third at 279.

"We just need to make some more putts, but the guys did really, really well," USCB coach Shane LeBaron said. "I'm proud of them, and I think we're in a good position for (today)."

Reed Howard led the way for USCB, firing a 2-under-par 70 that put him in a tie for seventh place overall, six shots behind co-leaders Chris Marsh of Coker and J.P. Solis of USC Aiken. Like his teammates, Howard said he struggled with his putter, but his accuracy from tee to green helped him keep his score under par.

"Even though we put up a pretty good score, I think we all kind of feel like we can come in even better," Howard said. "We're in good position. I'm sure we'll give ourselves a chance to play well (today) and see what happens."

George Thacker shot 73, and a pair of 75s by Ryan Ruggiere and Chris Lane II rounded out the Sand Sharks' team score. John Pannone shot 76 for the Sand Sharks, as did Wingate's Evan White, a former Hilton Head Island High School standout.

LeBaron said the team planned to work on its putting after Monday's round in hopes of shaving a few strokes off today's score.

"We're very happy," LeBaron said. "We're going to do a couple things to learn how to drop another putt or two, and (today) should be great."