Oct. 24, 2009

Senior Ben Silverman shot a career-low 65 round score to help the Florida Atlantic University men's golf team grab a share of the overall team lead following Saturday's second round of the Bethune-Cookman Tournament at the LPGA Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Owls' one-over-par 289 score has put the team in a tie with Florida Gulf Coast University with an even-par 576 team composite score after the first two rounds on the 6,984-yard par 72 layout. Stetson University is still within striking distance, being in third place by four strokes with a 580 score.

FAU is searching for its first tournament title since claiming the Treasure Coast Classic last year.

Silverman got off to a great start to his record-setting performance, carding a four-under-par 32 score over the first nine holes in Saturday's round. He followed it with a subpar back nine to grab a share of the tournament's first place honors.

"There are several short to intermediate par 4's on this course which creates a lot of short wedge shots into the green," said Silverman. "I practice that shot a lot and think it is a strong part of my game. This course is set up to my liking." Silverman also felt determined to shake off his highest round of the season - a two-over par 74 score - during Friday's first round.

"I had a bad day yesterday, but I hit the ball well," noted Silverman. "I just didn't score well and being moved from the top spot lit a fire into me that I needed to score lower (on Saturday)."

FAU's score was also enhanced by sophomore Michael Baskovich, who fired his second straight even-par 72 and stands in a tie for fourth place; sophomore Justin Thompson carded a 75 in Saturday's round after an even-par score in the opening 18 holes; sophomore Carl McCauley shot a 77 this afternoon; and junior Kelly McHugh recorded a 79 score.

The final round gets underway at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Team Scores:

T-1) Florida Atlantic and Florida Gulf Coast 576; 3) Stetson 580; 4) Jacksonville Univ. 587; 5) Bethune-Cookman Univ. 627; 6) Savannah State Univ. 638; 7) North Carolina Central 662; 8) Winston-Salem State Univ. 683; 9) South Carolina State Univ. 697; 10) Hampton Univ. 714

Individual Scores:

T-1) Ben Silverman 139; T-4) Justin Thompson 144; T-11) Justin Thompson 147; T-15) 149; T-18) Kelly McHugh 150; 25) David Ziglar 157