March 28, 2003

TUCSON, Ariz. - The University of Houston golf team returns to action on Sunday in the first round of the U.S. Collegiate Championships.

UH will play 18 holes Sunday, Monday and Tuesday on the 7,138-yard, par-72 course at the Tucson National Golf Course.

The Cougars come into the tournament off an 18th-place finish at the Morris Williams Intercollegiate where freshman Kevin Newman led the team with a 4-over-par 72 in the last round to tie for 46th place.

Freshman Zach Mowbray leads the Cougars with the lowest scoring average (73.8) and Junior Brett Callas is close behind with (74.2). Callas has lead Houston in four of its eight tournaments this season.

The Cougars join a competitive field that includes Alabama, host school Arizona, Arizona State, Kent State, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northwestern, Pepperdine, Conference-USA rival TCU, Texas, Tulsa, UNLV, Southern California and Washington.

Texas captured the team honors in 2002 while Hunter Mahan of Oklahoma State took home the individual honor.