VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's golf team fired a second round, 4-under 284 to move into first place in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf South/Southeast Regional Preview Monday after 36-holes at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta.  The Blazers lead Clayton State by one stroke and Newberry by three heading into Tuesday's final round. 
 
"Obviously we are very pleased with the start," Valdosta State head men's golf coach Jared Purvis said.  "We know the competition is tough and our main goal tomorrow is sticking to our game plan and playing the golf course.  The guys did a great job of staying focused throughout the 36-holes today."
 
VSU opened the tournament with a 290 score and has a 574 score through the two rounds.  Clayton State carded an even par 288 in the first round and followed with a 287 in the second round for a 575 score.   Newberry fired rounds of 293 and 284 to move up three spots to sit third with a 577 score.  West Georgia fired a second round 282 to move up five spots for fourth with a 580 score.   Carson-Newman sits fifth with a 585 score, while there is a tie for sixth between Truett-McConnell and Montevallo at 586 and a tie for eighth between Shorter and Georgia College at 593.  Christian Brothers sits tenth with a 596 score.   Eckerd is 11^th at 599, while the Christian Brothers "B" Team is 12^th at 611 and Miles College rounds out the field with a 638 score. 
 
UWG's Austin Fulton, a Mississippi State transfer, sits 7-under as he carded rounds of 69 and 68 for a 137 score to lead the 75-player field.  Clayton State's Daniel Medellin is second with a 3-under 141, while Blazer sophomore Ryan Pullman and Georgia College's Isaac Samples are tied for third at 2-under 142.  Pullman fired a 72 and 70 as he moved up seven spots following the opening round.  Montevallo's Noah Dennis and Eckerd's Mike Bechard are tied for fifth at 1-under 143. 
 
Blazer junior Chase Weathers sits tied for seventh with a pair of 72s for a 144 score, while senior Gage Smith is tied for 26^th with a 147 score (74-73).  Graduate student Wesley Hanson also is tied for 26^th with rounds of 72 and 75.  Junior Davis Smith is tied for 31^st with a 148 score as he opened with a 79 and followed with a season-low 69, for his fourth round in the 60s of his career.
 
In addition to the five Blazers listed above, VSU also entered eight players as individuals with sophomore Jackson Cross leading the way with a 148 score on rounds of 72 and 76 as he is tied for 31^st.  Redshirt freshman Trey Tesiero is tied for 35^th with a 149 score on rounds of 78 and 71, while redshirt freshman Brandon Cho is tied for 51^st with a 153 score on rounds of 75 and 78.  Redshirt freshman Taylor Sweat is tied for 51^st also on rounds of 77 and 76.   Senior Parker Rowe is tied for 54^th with a 154 score on rounds of 75 and 79, while redshirt freshman Peyton Balent is tied for 59h after carding a 77 and 80 for a 157 score.  Freshman Chase Long is 70^th in his first collegiate tournament with a pair of 81s and freshman Zach Ashley is tied for 74^th with a 167 score on rounds of 86 and 81.
 
The tournament is scheduled to conclude Tuesday with the final round beginning at 8:30 a.m. with tee times.  Click on the live stat link to the right to follow along with the final round Tuesday.