WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- Battling physical and mental exhaustion, the 10th-ranked BYU men's golf team began play at the 2005 Ashworth Collegiate Invitational today, taking the third-place spot going into the final 18 holes of competition tomorrow.
After one day's rest from their last tournament in Hawaii, the Cougars got off to a slow start in this year's tournament, shooting seven over par in the first round and four under par in the second round. BYU remains eight strokes back of the leader No. 21 Tennessee and four stroked back of second-place No. 8 USC.
"We played really consistent today," said head coach Bruce Brockbank. "The guys were really tired, considering the amount of traveling we've done. We didn't play great, but we hung in there."
BYU had a difficult time during the first round as none of the Cougars shot under par. However, true to form, the Cougars' come-from-behind attitude took over in the second round as they improved by four strokes to three over par.
"I think it speaks volumes for our golf program the way these guys held in there," Brockbank said. "We've got to come out and play a good round tomorrow."
The Cougars recorded four golfers in the top 20 going into the final round of play tomorrow. Seniors Ron Harvey Jr. and Greg Machtaler led the way for the Cougars on day one as they finished in a tie for fifth place at even par, just nine strokes back of the leader Georgia Southern's Aron Price.
"I think we're all pretty exhausted," Harvey said. "Playing golf 10 days straight can be very tough mentally. We knew we were tired and we prepared for it."
Jake Ellison and Oscar Alvarez rounded off BYU's team score with Ellison in 11th place at one over par and Alvarez in 17th place at two over par. Coming off one of his best performances of his career in Hawaii, Nick Becker struggled during the opening day, finishing the second round at seven over par. Todd Miller, who is playing as an individual at this year's event, finished the day at four over par.
"We've need to get off to an early start and make some birdies," Harvey said. "We're only nine strokes back. If we can do that, we can get back in it."
BYU is one of 15 teams at this year's tournament. Other universities include No. 20 Washington, No. 28 Georgia Southern, No. 31 Pepperdine, No. 38 UC Riverside, No. 39 Oregon State, No. 43 Vanderbilt, No. 50 UC Irvine, California, Fresno State, Oregon, Stanford, and Washington State.
North Ranch Country Club -- Par 71 -- 6,815 yards
TEAM RESULTS
1. Tennessee 284-279--563
2. USC 287-280--567
T3. BYU 291-280--571
T3. Georgia Southern 286-285--571
5. Stanford 299-285--584
6. California 296-290--586
7. Pepperdine 305-287--592
T8. Vanderbilt 301-293--594
T8. Washington 293-301--594
10. Oregon St. 295-300--595
11. UC Riverside 297-299--596
12. Fresno St. 298-302--600
13. UC Irvine 305-297--602
14. Washington St. 314-299--613
15. Oregon 303-313--616
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Aron Price Georgia Southern 69-64--133 (-9)
2. Ross McGowan Tennessee 69-67--136 (-6)
3. James Lepp Washington 71-68--139 (-3)
T5. Ron Harvey, Jr. BYU 72-70--142 (E)
T5. Greg Machtaler BYU 73-69--142 (E)
T11. Jake Ellison BYU 72-71--143 (+1)
T17. Oscar Alvarez BYU 74-70--144 (+2)
T35. Nick Becker BYU 77-72--149 (+7)
T26. Todd Miller* BYU 76-70--146 (+4)
- Through 36 holes, 18 holes remaining
* Competing as an individual