Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Stay in Fourth
5/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 4, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Head coach Mike Watney's goal for the second round of the 2010 WAC championships was to get off to fast start and make the teams that teed off behind them face the pressure of chasing the Dogs.
It worked early. Through the first nine holes the Bulldogs played 6-under par and took the tournament lead from both New Mexico State and Nevada.
Unfortunately, the Aggies and Wolf Pack got hot late in the first round and the Dogs played steady par golf on the back nine to remain in fourth place with one round to play at the Rio Secca Club in Henderson, Nev.
"We didn't bring it in well," said head coach Mike Watney, who's coached Fresno State to 13 conference tournament championships. "We've made up 13 strokes on the final day before but it's extremely difficult and unlikely. The forecast calls for some high winds tomorrow and if that happens anything can happen, but if other teams are making a lot of bogeys in the wind we need to be the team not making bogeys."
Leading the way for the Dogs was sophomore Bhavik Patel (71-68--139), who shot a 4-under par round that including six birdies. He's tied for fifth place at 5-under par for the tournament. He's three strokes out of second place and seven strokes off leader Timothy Madigan of New Mexico State, who shot a 68 as well.
Senior Grant Doverspike (72-71--143) is tied for 15th place after making three birdies and posting a 1-under par score of 71.
Michael Gideon got to 5-under par through 13 holes with five birdies on the front nine. He suffered a triple bogey on the 15th hole and bogeyed 17 and 18 and finished with a round of 72. Gideon is tied for 18th up two spots from where he started the day. He's tied with teammate Brian Sunker (74-71--145), who made five birdies in his round and was 1-under with a 71.
Bryan Hogan (72-79--151) is tied for 33rd place.
New Mexico State shot 14-under par on the day and stands at 19-under for the tournament, four shots ahead of second place Nevada.
"What New Mexico State has done has been very impressive," said Watney. "I didn't see it coming based on the scores and results I'd seen from them coming into the WAC championship."
The WAC tournament concludes at 7 a.m. PT on Wednesday at the Rio Secca Golf Club.
"We Are Your Team!" - The Fresno State men's golf team concludes play in the 49th Annual WAC Championships at the Rio Secca Golf Club in Henderson, Nev., on Wednesday. Follow the final round via live scoring on GOLFSTAT
Players Mentioned
