BRYANT TIED FOR FIRST AFTER DAY 1 OF LONNIE BARTON MEMORIAL INVITATIONAL

March 8, 2010

BRYANT TIED FOR FIRST AFTER DAY 1 OF LONNIE BARTON MEMORIAL INVITATIONAL

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University golf team opened its spring season on a high note, sharing a tie for first place at the midway point of the Barton Memorial Invitational hosted by Northeast Conference opponent Long Island University in Savannah, Ga.

The Bulldogs shot a combined 318 after Day 1 of the two-round tournament and share the lead with High Point University. Senior Jason Thresher (West Suffield, Conn.) shot a 77 in Round One, good for fourth overall among the 47 individual golfers at five over par. Fellow senior Mike Pyne (Foxboro, Mass.) sits tied with teammate Spencer Sweitzer (Lunenburg, Mass.) for 12th with a first-round 80 while junior Kyle Hoffman (Pawtucket, R.I.) shot an 81 to place him tied for 14th entering Tuesday's final round. Greg Najarian (Rumford, R.I.) recorded a 96 for 46th after Day 1.

The eight-team field includes three Northeast Conference members (Bryant, LIU and Robert Morris) while Georgia Southern's Logan Blondell and Emory's Ryan Dagerman currently share first-place as individuals with a 74 in Day 1 competition.

The Lonnie Barton Memorial Invitational concludes Tuesday at the Savannah Quarters Country Club.