September 13, 1998

Columbia, Mo. -- - The University of Missouri men's golf team opened its 1998-99 season by finishing 19th at the Falcon-Cross Creek Invitational, held Sept. 11-13, at the United States Air Force Academy. The Tigers, playing with only two returnees from last year's squad, found themselves in last place after an opening-round team score of 314. But Head Coach TIM ROBYN's squad rebounded for a solid second round of 292, and finished with a 304, to tie for 19th out of 24 schools.

Individually, Missouri was led by junior DAVID SUGGS (76-72-74=222), who tied for 41st place. The Chesterfield, Mo., native led MU in five tournaments last year, and improved on his finish of 47th at the same 1997 Air Force tournament, in which he shot a three-round total of 225.

Freshman MARK McBRIDE (79-70-76=225) was MU's next-highest individual, as he tied for 61st in his first collegiate outing. McBride, a native of Lebanon, Mo., shot a second-round 70 (2-under par), which represented the best round of the tournament by any Tiger.

Sophomore BLAYNE ROSELY (80-75-75=230) was next for the Tigers, as he tied for 88th place overall. The Quincy, Ill., native improved by seven strokes from his performance at the '97 Falcon Invitational, when he tied for 107th place with a three-round 237. Rounding out the Tiger contingent were two more freshmen making their first collegiate appearances. JANSZEN RINGO (79-80-79=238) of Ironton, Mo., tied for 108th place with his 238 total. A few strokes behind was CHRIS HAPP (84-75-82=241), a Winnetka, Ill., native, who finished in 114th place individually.