July 9, 2007

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss men's golf signee Robert Derek Plucienski (Slidell, La.) shot a one-over-par 289 to place tied for 21st in the 155-player Spirit of America Tournament, which was played last weekend at Burningtree Country Club in Decatur, Ala.

Plucienski, who graduated from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans this past spring, shot rounds of 71, 72, 72 and 74 to finish in a five-way tie over the 72-hole event.

The incoming freshman was one of seven members of the 2007-08 Golden Eagle men's golf squad to compete in the event over the weekend. The other six, including Rocky Cleland, Nick Brown, Paul Apyan, Wes Carter, Freddie Janneck, and Tyler Sparks, failed to make the top 50 players who made the cut after 54 holes.

Three of the players missed the cut buy three or fewer strokes and the other three missed playing on the final day by eight or less strokes.