Oct. 24, 2006

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The UAB men's golf team ended its fall season on a high note. The Blazers captured their first team title since claiming the 2005 Western Carolina Intercollegiate, and just their third title since 2003, by shooting a school record tournament low of 840 (283-278-279) during the 72-hole Barona Collegiate Cup. Even more impressive was the play of sophomore Zack Sucher, who picked up his first individual medalist honor, as he defeated Nevada's Taylor Coffman in a playoff, with a 13-under par 203.

The Blazers demolished the former team tournament record of 847, set during the SunTrust Gator Invitational in February of 2002, en route to overcoming a five-stroke deficit heading into Tuesday's final 18 holes to capture the victory. UAB's 36-hole tally of 561 was also school record, beating the previous record of 563 set during the 2003 Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate. Furthermore, the second-round 278 tied for the fifth-lowest round in school history.

"I am so proud of this team and the way we played down the stretch," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "We were finally able to put three solid rounds together and we got a great result. I thought everyone made a contribution and it was truly a team effort. What a great way to end the fall season."

Sucher, who defeated Coffman in the second playoff hole, carded a career-low round of 65 during Monday's opening 18 holes, and finished the two-day event with a career best 54-hole mark of 203 (65-67-69). It was a tournament for the record books for Sucher, as his opening round 65 tied him for the third-lowest single round in school history. Furthermore, his 36-hole total of 134 was second-lowest in program history, while his total of 203 was tied for fifth-best in UAB lore.

Sucher was not the only Blazer to finish the tournament in record fashion. Senior Garrett Osborn shot his tournament low round of 67 during Wednesday's final 18 holes, and finished tied for sixth overall with a three-round total of six-under 210 (75-68-67). It marked the 11th top-10 finish of his career.

Junior Kyle Sapp shot an even par 216 (69-70-77) to close play tied for 25th overall. Rounding out UAB was junior Brad Smith, who finished at two-over par 218 (75-71-72), while freshman Blake West also closed strong with a career-low round of one-under 71 to finish with a three-over 219.

The Blazers finished four-strokes ahead of Wichita State's 844 (277-278-289), while Colorado State finished third with an 845 (277-288-280). San Diego (279-284-286/849) and tournament host San Diego State (282-283-288/853) rounded out the top five, respectively.

The event concluded the men's golf fall season. UAB will next in an action when it travels to the Gator Invitational on Feb. 9-10, 2007.