Rice University
Conference USA Championship
Owls Currently 10th at C-USA Championship
4/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 24, 2011
2011 Conference USA Men's Golf Championship Live Scoring Link
TEXARKANA, Ark. - Rice began play at the Conference USA Men's Golf Championship with a 295 Sunday and is currently 10th in the team standings after the first round of the 54-hole tournament being played at Texarkana Country Club.
Rice senior Michael Whitehead shot a two-under par 70 Sunday and is currently tied for eighth, three strokes back of individual leaders Max Buckley of SMU and Jonathan Fly of Memphis.
The tournament continues through Tuesday.
"Overall, I am disappointed we didn't play better because we have been hitting the ball well the past two weeks," said Rice coach Drew Scott. "Hopefully we will get it going tomorrow and get back into contention."
In addition to Buckley's 67, SMU's Kelly Kraft shot a 68 as the Mustangs began the tournament with a 10-under par, 278. SMU has a three-stroke lead over second-place Memphis.
Whitehead scored an eagle on the par-five, second hole and also birdied No. 5. But the senior lost two strokes with bogeys at both No. 3 and No. 6. He played even par golf through the next 10 holes then a birdie at No. 17 helped him to his opening-round 70.
Freshmen Chris Contreras and Jeff Wibawa played steady, finishing with 74s during the first conference tournament rounds of their career. They are currently part of a logjam of players at two-over par and tied for 27th.
Rice will begin the second round of the conference tournament off No. 10 on Monday. The Owls will be paired with UTEP with tee times beginning at 8 a.m.
