Jan. 31, 2011
Results – Day 1
Team 
| Individual | Team With Individual
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of New Mexico men’s golf team is in eighth place after one day of competition at the Arizona Intercollegiate.
Well, almost one day.
Inclement weather slowed play to a crawl at times during what was supposed to be the first two rounds of the host Wildcats’ annual invitational. As many as eight squalls blew over the course during play, which included two bouts with hail. The weather certainly affected play, as the first round saw just six rounds under par.
As a result, the field wasn’t able to get in the full 36 holes scheduled for Monday, coming up five short. The Lobos will pick up where the left off Tuesday at 8 a.m. MST, finishing the last five holes of the second round before getting going on the final 18.
At 18-over-par entering Day 2, New Mexico finds itself sitting nine strokes out of a tie for first between fellow Mountain West Conference members UNLV and San Diego at 9-over and three strokes behind Arizona’s two teams and a top-five showing.
At the conclusion of the first round, the Lobos had carded a 10-over 294. Now, 13 holes into the second round, New Mexico finds itself within striking distance of the leaders.
“Our guys did a good job in tough weather,” head coach Glen Millican said. “We’re still in position for a great finish.”
In particular, Tom Carlson has positioned himself for a shot at individual medalist honors. The Lobo senior is tied for fifth place at 1-under, only three strokes behind co-leaders Andrew Putnam of Pepperdine and the Wildcats’ Stefan Cox, both at 4-under.
Carlson pocketed five birdies and an eagle on the par-4 13th hole – a remarkable 9-iron approach shot that dropped in on the fly.
“That was a great shot,” Millican said. “Tom played good today – very steady. He did everything well.”
Fellow senior Travis Ross finds himself entering the second day in an eight-way tie for 16th at 3-over. Ross nearly derailed his tournament right out of the gate, carding two bogies and a double-bogey over the first three holes.
He responded with five birdies over the next 14 holes to finish his first round at 2-over and climb back into contention. Ross is 1-over through the first 13 holes of the second round.
Other Lobos in action for the varsity include John Catlin, who is tied for 54th at 9-over, Sam Chavez, who is tied for 61st at 11-over, and Sam Saunders, who is tied for 85th at 17-over.
New Mexico also has three golfers taking part as individuals. Shane McDonald is in a nine-way tie for 40th at 7-over, while Ryan Gay is in 63rd at 12-over and Alex Estrada is tied for 64th at 13-over.