BYU Hosting the 2009 PING Cougar Classic

PROVO -- The Brigham Young University men’s golf team will host the 2009 PING Cougar Classic April 24-25 at the par-72 Riverside Country Club.

Joining the Cougars will be Boise State, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico State, Southern Utah, Utah State, Utah Valley, Weber State and LDS Church affiliate BYU-Hawaii.

Mountain West Conference foes Air Force, Colorado State, Utah and Wyoming will also participate before preparing for the MWC Tournament April 30-May 2 in Tucson, Ariz.

“We expect some tough competition from this year’s field,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “Colorado State has won six tournaments this year, New Mexico State took it last year, and our in-state programs usually do pretty well, so we hope we can guard our territory.”

New Mexico State won the team competition (277-282-288—847 / -17) in the 2008 Cougar Classic, while Troy Merritt of Boise State won individually (70-68-70—208 / -8). BYU (287-279-292—858 / -6) tied for second place with Washington State in last year’s tournament.

Round results from the tournament can be viewed on our Web site, www.byucougars.com.Tee time will be at 8 a.m. both days.

“It’s always fun to play at your home tournament,” Brockbank said. “There’s added pressure to play well in front of friends and family, but hopefully we come out and make our putts and play like we’re capable of.”