February 12, 1999

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii - Georgia Tech's golf team took a 16-stroke lead after the second day of play Friday at the Taylor Made Big Island Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii. The Yellow Jackets carded a 310 on the 7,074-yard, par 72 King's Course Golf Course at Waikoloa to end the day at 580. Tech, ranked No. 6 in the MasterCard College Golf Foundation poll, finished nine strokes ahead of the field on Thursday and increased its lead over the University of Washington by seven strokes.

"We played an almost great round considering every team had to battle a 40-mile-an-hour wind today," said head coach Bruce Heppler. "Matt Kuchar posted the low score on the King's Course with a 74 after playing average yesterday. Carlton Forrester and Bryce Molder stayed in the top three and have kept us in the lead."

Tech was paced by junior Carlton Forrester (Gainesville, Ga.) who shot a 75 to maitain the lead with a 139. Sophomore Bryce Molder (Conway, Ark.) carded a 79 but stayed in third place with a 144. Junior Matt Kuchar (Lake Mary, Fla.) made the biggest charge of the day as he moved from 19th to fifth after firing a 74 to close at 145. Freshman Kris Mikkelsen (Woodstock) was in 54th after shooting an 85 to finish at 155. Sophomore Wes Latimer (Woodstock, Ga.) carded an 82 to finish in 63rd with a 156.

All teams will finish play Saturday on the Kings Golf Course at Waikoloa with 18 holes. Tech will be looking for its first team victory off the season after four top-5 finishes in the fall.

Team Results
 1. Georgia Tech          270-310=580
 2. Washington            284-312=596
 3. UNLV                  290-307=597
    SMU                   289-308=597
 5. Arkansas              281-319=600
 6. UCLA                  279-322=601
 7. Arizona State         279-324=603
 8. UTEP                  299-307=606
 9. Southern California   299-308=607
10. TCU                   287-323=610
11. Pepperdine            284-327=611
12. Hawaii                305-308=613
    Texas A&M             299-314=613
14. Arizona               310-305=615
15. Nevada                290-328=618
16. Oregon                300-320=620
    Nihon                 312-308=620
    Hawaii-Hilo           296-324=620
19. UC-Santa Barbara      301-329=630
20. Oregon St.            291-342=633

Tech Results
 1. Carlton Forrester 64-75=139
 3. Bryce Molder      65-79=144
 5. Matt Kuchar       71-74=145
54. Kris Mikkelsen    70-85=155
63. Wes Latimer       74-82=156