Fresno State Athletics
Men's Golf Prepares For WAC Championship
4/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 28, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's golf team looks to win its fourth Western Athletic Conference title next week when it competes in the WAC Championship Monday through Wednesday at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho.
The Bulldogs, who are the top returning team at this year's tournament, will feature a lineup of Jason Anthony, Jonny Rosa, Brian Kelley, Matt Shaw and Ryan McDonald.
Anthony, who has been playing particularly strong late in the season, recently won the Saint Mary's Invitational and has recorded top-10 finishes in strong fields at Arizona's NIT and at California's Alister MacKenzie Invitational. Rosa also has a tournament title to his name after claiming victory at California's tournament in October. Kelley is among the WAC's best in stroke average and has a low round of 66.
A true freshman, Shaw has qualified for 10 tournaments as a Bulldog and saw his best finish at the tough Alister MacKenzie Invitational with 10th place. McDonald, who helped Fresno State win its last conference championship in 2003, recently tied for eighth at the Saint Mary's Invitational.
At last year's tournament, Fresno State finished third behind SMU and Tulsa, who are both no longer WAC members. The Bulldogs also placed two golfers in the top 10 in Mark Modglin (sixth) and Rosa (ninth).
"Anything can happen," said head coach Mike Watney. "Being a favorite is no guarantee. Having a lead is no guarantee. Making a big comeback is a definite possibility. Going deep is definitely a possibility. Having a close competition is definitely a possibility.
"We need to be mentally ready for any possibility. It is never easy. Coolness, composure, perseverance and patience will pull us through."
The par-71 course at Crane Creek Country Club will play at 6,668 yards. One round will be played each day.
Tee times for Monday's opening round begin at 8 a.m. MT. Live scoring will be kept at www.golfstat.com.
Players Mentioned
