PROVO, Utah (May 2, 2005) Three members of BYU's 12th-ranked men's golf team, Oscar Alvarez, Nick Becker and Greg Machtaler were named to the All-MWC first team.
BYU had more golfers named to the All-MWC team than any other school including No. 4 ranked New Mexico and No. 5 UNLV. This is the second year in a row where BYU has placed three golfers on the All-MWC team. All three BYU golfers earning citations have won at least one tournament on the season and they have the three best stroke averages on the team.
"We've got a great group of guys on this team," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "These three guys are very deserving of this recognition. I'm proud of what they've accomplished thus far."
Alvarez, a junior from Colombia, earned his second consecutive All-MWC citation. He has placed in the top 20 in 10 out of 12 tournaments on the season and leads the Cougars in stroke average at 71.5 per round. Alvarez was a 2004 honorable mention All-American and is currently ranked No. 36 in the nation individually.
Becker, the reigning Mountain West Conference champion, has had an outstanding last two weeks. The sophomore from Boise, Idaho finished third in the PING Cougar Classic on April 23 and defeated the nation's top two golfers, Ryan Moore of UNLV and Spencer Levin of New Mexico in claiming medalist honors at the MWC golf championship on April 30. Becker recorded the lowest round in the tournament with a four-under 68 to edge Levin by one stroke to claim his first career victory in just his ninth collegiate tournament. He has played in seven out of 12 tournaments for the Cougars this year and has placed in the top 20 three times. His stroke average of 72.3 is third best on the team and he has risen to a No. 93 national ranking.
Machtaler, a senior from Canada, earned his second consecutive All-MWC citation despite a less-than-stellar performance at last week's MWC Championship. He has, however, had an excellent senior season where he has placed in the top 20 in nine out of 12 tournaments has the second-best stroke average on the team at 71.9 per round. Machtaler, who has been ranked as high as No. 8 nationally, currently ranks No. 56 in the Golfweek Collegiate rankings.
2005 All-MWC Team
Tyler Goulding, Air Force
Oscar Alvarez, Jr., BYU
Nick Becker, So., BYU
Greg Machtaler, Sr., BYU
Kevin McAlpine, Jr., Colorado State
Charlie Beljan, So., New Mexico
Spencer Levin, Jr., New Mexico
Andrew Scott, Jr., San Diego State
Aaron Choi, Sr., San Diego State
Ryan Moore, Sr., UNLV
Travis Whisman, Sr., UNLV
Player of the Year--Ryan Moore, Sr., UNLV
Freshman of the Year--Jarred Texter, UNLV
Coach of the Year--Glen Millican, New Mexico