DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson men's golf team, in a late addition to its schedule, took on visiting Volusia County rival Bethune-Cookman today at Southridge Golf Course on Euclid Avenue in DeLand, suffering a narrow 290-291 (+2 to +3) defeat.  Senior Brenden Kennedy (Newport, N.H.) shot a four under-par 68 to pace the Hatters.

In addition to Kennedy's 68, Stetson received two over-par 74s from sophomore Dave McAndrew (Barrington, R.I.) and junior Tommy Parker (Palm Beach, Fla.).  Freshman Gabe Costa (Tequesta, Fla.) shot 75 to round out the scoring pack.  Also competing for Stetson were freshman Michael Stewart (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) and senior Joey Costella (DeLand, Fla.), who shot 76 and 77, respectively.

Carl Corbin fired a five under-par 67, the low round of the day, to lead the Wildcats to the victory while Dan Venema also went into red figures with a 70.  Chris Dunn (76) and Willie Mack (77) also counted scores for B-CU.  Stetson was looking to go 4-0 on the season in dual matches after wins over Dayton, Harvard and Seton Hall but the one-stroke defeat denied the Hatters that achievement.

The Hatters are off until the Atlantic Sun Conference championships get underway at Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Ga.  Kennesaw State serves as the host institution for the 10-team tournament, in which every A-Sun school except first-year Division I members Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate will participate.  The 54-hole tournament begins Monday, April 21 and continues through Wednesday, April 23.  The winner receives an automatic bid to one of the three NCAA Regional Championships.