TUCSON, ARIZ. – On Monday, January 23rd, the Arizona men's golf team hosted the opening rounds of the annual Arizona Intercollegiate. The cats end round one of the competition in a tie for seventh place with a score of 302 (+18). The second round was called due to darkness at 5:50 p.m. MST. At the end of the day, the Cats are in an unofficial tie for eighth at (+33). Day one's conditions were rough, with gusts of up to 25 miles per hour throughout the day.
 
"We had a strong start today and really battled to hang in there with tough playing conditions," said head men's golf coach Jim Anderson. "The middle section was where we made some physical mistakes along with some costly mental mistakes. When we cut out our big numbers, we will be right there. Tomorrow is final round and we will have our best to finish at home."
 
Leading the Cats in day one of the competition was sophomore George Cunningham. Cunningham ended the first round with a score of 73 (+2). The Tucson native picked up a pair of birdies and an eagle on the front nine to start his day. The junior finishes the day unofficially in a tie for sixth place at four over par, picking up a pair of birdies on holes one and eight in the second round. Cunningham ranks second in eagles made in the first round.
 
"I played really solid today," commented Cunningham. "I had control over my ball throughout the day as I could have. Tomorrow, I'm going to continue playing my game and hopefully I can make a run tomorrow. I'll stay patient and make my birdies when I can. I know this course well, so I have to use my knowledge to get it done."
 
Freshman Brad Reeves made his Tucson debut by notching a 74 (+3) in the opening round. Reeves picked up a pair of birdies before making the turn to tie for 19th at the conclusion of the round. The freshman ends day one unofficially in a tie for 70th place at (+16).
 
Freshman David Laskin ends his first round in Tucson in a tie for 32nd place with a score of 76 (+5). The freshman picked up five birdies in the first round, three on the front nine and a pair on the back. The Elk Grove, California, native stands unofficially in a tie for 33rd place at (+9) after the opening day in Tucson.
 
Junior Jordan Gumberg and senior Redford Bobbitt concluded the first round in a tie for 52nd place with a score of 79 (+8). The duo combined for three birdies in the opening round and Gumberg recorded an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole. Gumberg ends day one unofficially in a tie for 45th place at (+11). The Fort Lauderdale native picked up four birdies on the front nine of the second round, three of them consecutively on holes seven, eight, and nine. Bobbitt ends day one unofficially in a tie for 61st place at (+14). The UNLV transfer recorded a pair of birdies on eight and 10 before closing out the night.
 
Admission is free to the public, and live stats will be available at golfstat.com.
 
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