Jackson State's Bailey has first round lead at PGA Minority Collegiate Championship
May 9, 2008
By Randy Stutzman, PGA.com Contributor- PGA.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Michael Bailey of Mississippi's Jackson State University fired a 5-under-par 67 Friday to grab the lead after the first 18 holes in the Division I men's individual standings at the 22nd PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. The three-day event is being played over the Ryder and Wanamaker courses at the PGA Golf Club.
 "Through the whole round I did not want to focus on my score, even though I knew I was playing really well," said Bailey, a senior from Dallas, Texas. "Lately I have been putting a lot of pressure on myself and it has been throwing me off."
Bailey carded six birdies and only one bogey in the opening round.
"I wanted to go out today and just play golf and hope that some putts fell into the cup, and luckily they did," said Bailey. "As a team we wanted to come out relaxed and put some good scores together, which we did as well."
Savannah (Ga.) State University and Florida A&M University share the overall lead in the Division I men's team standings with a 5-over-par 293, and hold a one-shot lead over Jackson State.
In Division II, Fayetteville State University of North Carolina leads Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., by three strokes after firing a first round 1-under-par 287.
Ian Milne, a senior from Deland, Fla., led the Broncos through 18 holes after shooting a 4-under-par 68.
"I kept the ball in play all day and took advantage of some early opportunities for birdies during my round, said Milne, who is playing in his third Championship. "We want to make sure as a team that we do well and come out on top for the third year in a row."
In the NAIA Division, Johnson & Wales University of Miami, Fla., sits atop the leader board with a tournament low 3-under-par 285. Edward Waters College of Jacksonville, Fla., trails the Wildcats by 18 strokes.
Sam Aidan of Edward Waters leads the NAIA Division men's individual standings after firing an opening-round 67.
In the women's division, Bethune-Cookman College of Daytona, Fla., winner of the 2006 and 2007 Championships, carded a first-round team total of 309 to grab a one-stroke lead over the University of Texas-Pan-American in Edinburg.
Mariale Camey of Bethune-Cookman recorded the low-round for the women with a 3-over-par 75.
Alexis Garduno of Old Dominion University holds a two-shot lead over Maria Urquiola of Bethune-Cookman in the independent women's division after carding a 7-over-par 79.
"The last few holes left a bitter taste in my mouth but overall I had a great round, said Garduno, a junior from Sacramento, Calif. "I really wore down over the last few holes. The heat in Florida is much different then playing a season in Virginia."
In the Independent men's division, Armando Favela from Loyola (Ill.) University and Amit Odaiyar from Florida Atlantic University share the 18-hole lead at 1-under par 71.
"I did not make too many mistakes today and really capitalized on my putts," said Odaiyar, a freshman from Ocala, Fla. "Playing every week in Florida under these conditions and playing on these greens, I really feel like I have an advantage over someone who may be from another part of the country."
Nearly 200 contestants from 47 colleges and universities, representing 14 countries comprised the field for the 2008 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.
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