Fresno State Athletics
Men's Golf Hosts Duel Match Against Nevada
1/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Jan. 31, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State will host a one-day duel match against Nevada, Friday at the Riverbend Golf Course at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the match at no charge.
This will be the first time in 25 years the Bulldogs have had a duel match with the exception of a Japanese touring team. Since both teams had only 23 days of competition scheduled rather than the allotted 24 it worked out for them to have this match. They could not add another tournament because they are at least two days long.
"Our excitement level is through the roof," said head coach Mike Watney. "We are playing eight against eight so everyone on my team will play. I have two other guys red-shirting so they can't play."
This duel match will kickoff the Bulldogs spring season before they head to Wahiawa, Hawaii for the John Burns Invitational Feb. 21-23.
"Five of my eight guys are playing their first year of competition in division one," said Watney. "Even though we are young, we are pretty good. My `veteran' is sophomore Matt Shaw, last season's WAC Freshman of the Year. This team will improve dramatically so I am excited about the future."
Nevada is also young as they lost 3 seniors from last year. Nevada head coach, Rich Merritt, a Fresno native, was an assistant at Oregon State, then a head coach at Louisiana, Monroe before getting the Nevada job.
Both Nevada and Fresno State qualified for the NCAA last year. However, the 'Dogs were knocked out at the regional. Nevada made it to the finals for the first time in 16 years.
"This will be a good kickoff for both teams to get the spring season started," said Watney.
Players Mentioned
