March 16, 2008

STATESBORO, Ga. - Senior Brad Smith finished tied for sixth overall to lead the 25th-ranked UAB men's golf team to a fifth-place finish at the 29th annual Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational. The Blazers (286-289-295) finished tied with tournament host Georgia Southern (301-288-281), each closing with a six-over par 870.

The Blazers were among eight teams ranked in the top-25 and 12 ranked among the top-50 in the nation in the latest national poll who competed at the three-day, 54-hole event.

Smith entered Sunday's third and final round in a six-way tie for the overall lead. However, after recording a five-under par 139 through the opening two rounds, the Hawthorn, Australia native recorded a one-over par 73 during the last day and finished with a four-under 212.

Junior Zach Sucher, who was one of the six players tied for the overall lead entering the final 18 holes, finished with a 78 to close the tournament tied for 18th overall with a one-over par 217 (68-71-78). Sucher tied with teammate Mike Oimoen, who was the biggest mover of the day for the Blazers. Oimoen carded a team low one-under 71 on the day, and finished tied for 18th overall with a one-over 217 (73-73-71).

Senior Kyle Sapp finished tied for 60th with a 225 (76-76-73), while sophomore Blake West rounded out UAB with 232 (75-76-81).

Alabama, the nation's top-ranked team, won the event by seven strokes with a 15-under par 849 (285-280-284). Florida, ranked 10th in the country, was second with an eight-under par 856 (290-279-287). No. 15 South Carolina finished third with a five-under 859 (286-281-292), while Tennessee closed in fourth overall with an 865 (282-289-294).

The Blazers will have nearly a month off before they compete next at the Nissan Intercollegiate on April 7-8 in Jackson, Miss.