BYU Golf Back In Action

WAHIAWA -- Spring has sprung for the BYU men’s golf team as the Cougars saw their first action of 2010 at the John A. Burns Invitational Wednesday. BYU posted a solid round-one showing, tying for sixth at 2-under-par.

“We were really working on shaking off the early-year cobwebs today,” said BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank. “We had our chances, but we made a few mistakes and missed some putts. We just need to capitalize on our good shots over the next two days. It will be fun to build some momentum for the rest of the season.”

A total of 15 teams gathered in Hawaii for the three-day event, most competing for the first time since the fall. BYU has not competed since a second-place finish at the Pacific Invitational on Nov. 4. With a first-round score of 286, the Cougars are just eight shots back of the leaders, SMU and California.

Individually, freshman Zac Blair led BYU and tied for fifth overall in the field at 3-under-par, just one shot out of second place and four shots off the lead. Blair has been a solid competitor for the Cougars despite being a newcomer to the collegiate golf scene, competing in all four fall events with a stroke average of 74.33.

“Zac played well today,” said Brockbank. “It was nice to see him get going a little bit. He has high expectations for this season so it’s important for him to do well.”

Senior Robbie Fillmore and junior Esteban Calisto posted par scores on the day with a pair of 72s to tie for 26th place. Fillmore shot a 36 on both the front and back nine while Calisto posted a 34 on the first nine holes of the course. Senior Brady Johnson was just one shot back at 1-over-par to tie for 36th while freshman Alton Anderson posted a 3-over-par 75.

Play will continue with round two on Thursday.