March 16, 2003

Huntersville, N.C. -- Virginia Tech shot a final round 290 and finished second at the Birkdale Collegiate Classic at the 7,013 yard, par-72 Birkdale Golf Club in Huntersville, N.C. on Sunday afternoon with a two-day total of 290.

Junior Ryan Stinnett (Amherst, Va.) shot a final round 69 and finished tied for eighth individually. His total of even-par 144 was seven strokes behind medalist Ramon Bescana of North Carolina.

Senior Brendon de Jonge (Harare, Zimbabwe) tied for 10th place, at 145 and freshman Joel Kraner (Dublin, Ohio) tied for 19th place at 146. Senior Chris McKeel (Wilson, N.C.) tied for 22nd place at 147 and redshirt sophomore Scott Wise (Vinton, Va.) tied for 28th place at 149.

North Carolina won the event with a two-day total of three-under-par 573, defeating the Hokies by seven strokes. Georgia Southern was third at 585 and East Carolina was fourth at 588. Old Dominion rounded out the top five at 591.

The event, originally scheduled for 54 holes, was shortened to 36 holes due to heavy rain on Saturday. The Hokies continue the spring season this weekend, as the team travels to Greenville, S.C., to defend its title in the Furman Intercollegiate. De Jonge won medalist honors at Furman last season.

TEAM RESULTS
1.	North Carolina		292-281=	573
2.	Virginia Tech		290-290=	580
3.	Georgia Southern		293-292=	585
4.	East Carolina		294-294=	588
5.	Old Dominion		292-299=	591
6.	UNCW		295-298=	593
7.	Coastal Carolina		293-301=	594
	VirginiA		298-296=	594
9.	Missouri		296-299=	595
10.	UNC Greensboro		298-302=	600
11.	VCU		304-297=	601
12.	ETSU		307-298=	605
13.	Pfeiffer		312-297=	609
14.	Davidson		309-305=	614
15.	Wofford		304-311=	615
16.	Charlotte		316-304=	620
17.	Belmont Abbey		310-311=	621
18.	Northern Illinois		319-312=	631