USCB golf off to slow start at Wilmington Island

The USC Beaufort men's golf team has some work to do today if it wants to repeat as champion of the Wilmington Island Club Intercollegiate.

The Sand Sharks posted a solid team score of 13-over-par 581 through the first 36 holes Monday, but that mark leaves them 19 shots behind host Savannah College of Art and Design, whose 6-under 562 marks the best 36-hole score in the tournament's history. Johnson and Wales sits second, three shots ahead of USCB.

Two USCB players are among the top 10, as Jon Pannone posted rounds of 71 and 69 to put him in a tie for fourth, and Reed Howard is tied for eighth after shooting 72 and 70. George Thacker, the defending individual champion, is tied for 20th after carding a pair of 74s. SCAD's Loren Bunting and Northwood's Brett McCurdy Jr. are tied for the lead at 5-under 137.

USCB will be paired with SCAD and Johnson and Wales for today's final round. The trio will tee off at 8:15 a.m.

Wilmington Island Club Intercollegiate

Wilmington Island Club, Savannah

Team standings

Savannah College of Art and Design 286-276--562; Johnson and Wales 293-285--578; USC Beaufort 294-287--581; Northwood 303-288--591; Mobile 297-298--595; St. Thomas 303-293--596; Embry-Riddle 303-296--599; Southeastern 302-300--602; Thomas 312-296--608; Webber International 310-305--615; Southern Wesleyan 322-304--626; Warner 315-322--637.

USCB individual results

T4. Jon Pannone 71-69--140; T8. Reed Howard 72-70--142; T20. George Thacker 74-74--148; T28. Jack Bingham 77-74--151; T42. Travis Cashion 81-75--156; T53. Chris Lane 78-83--161.