Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Travels to the Land Down Under
1/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Jan. 5, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Australian Masters of the Amateurs championship tournament is considered to be the finest amateur golf tournament in the world. One of Fresno State's finest golfers will be attending the event this year to represent America and the Bulldogs. Junior Bhavik Patel will be one of four Americans traveling to the land down under this week to compete in the elite tournament.
"I feel so honored to have been picked to play in this tournament," said Patel. "This is going to be such a great experience."
The Bakersfield native has finished in the top five in four out of the five tournaments that the Bulldogs played in during the fall. He has an average score of 69.71 and a spectacular low round of 66 on his record. Patel has also hit two eagles and 65 birdies during the fall season. He is ranked second for most birdies out of 7,561 in collegiate golf. Patel is currently ranked 49th in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking System.
"Bhavik is a great player," said Fresno State head men's golf coach, Mike Watney. "He is good enough to contend for the championship in Australia."
The 72-hole tournament will be played at the famous Royal Melbourne Golf Club. There are two courses that will be played during the main tournament, the East course and the West course. The East course is 6,598 yards with a par of 71. The West course is 6,589 yards with a par of 72. The championship round is a composite course made up of twelve holes from the West course and six holes from the East course.
"This tournament is going to be a great opportunity for Bhavik," said Watney. "He is going to get some great golf under his belt before our spring season starts up."
Arizona golf coach, Rick LaRose will be traveling with the four Americans to the Australian Masters of the Amateurs championship tournament. LaRose has coached the Arizona men's golf team for the last 33 seasons. Patel left for the tournament early this morning and will be playing golf with some of the top athletes in the world over the next eleven days.
"We Are Your Team!" - Check gobulldogs.com for updates from the Australian Masters of the Amateurs championship tournament. The Fresno State men's golf team will return to action at the Arizona Intercollegiate tournament on January 31.
Players Mentioned
