March 29, 1998

Men's Golf Team in First Place at Butler Invitational

CICERO, Ind.- The Notre Dame men's golf team--led by tournament co-leader Jeff Connell--holds a nine-shot lead heading into Monday's final round of the Butler Spring Invitational, being held at the par-71, 7,041-yard Bear Slide Golf Course.

Connell fired an even-par 71 in Sunday's first-round action and is tied with Ball State's Jamie Broce for fifth place in the 80-player field, heading into Monday's final 18 holes.

Ball State is in second place after a first-round 301 while host Butler and Youngstown State are tied for third at 303 in the play-five/count-four format.

Notre Dame senior Bryan Weeks is one shot off the pace after carding an opening-round 72 while Irish junior newcomer Willie Kent turned in a 74. Junior Brad Hardin rounded out the Irish score with a 75. Connell's classmate, Todd Vernon, shot an uncharacteristic 78--marking the first time in 17 rounds during 1997-98 that Vernon has not counted towards the team score.

TEAM STANDINGS (18 holes of 36): 1. Notre Dame 292; 2. Ball State 301; 3. Butler 303; Youngstown State 303; 5. Morehead State 306; 6. Oakland University 307; 7. Robert Morris 308; Cincinnati 308; 9. Cleveland State 315; 10. Indianapolis 319; 11. Southern Indiana 324; 12. Dayton 325; 13. Loyola (Illinois) 329; 14. IUPUI 330; 15. Eastern Illinois 332; 16. Wisconsin-Green Bay 333.

CO-LEADERS (of 80): Jeff Connell, ND, 71; Jamie Broce, BSU, 71.

OTHER NOTRE DAME SCORES: Bryan Weeks 72 , Willie Kent 74, Brad Hardin 75, Todd Vernon 78.