Sept. 18, 2004

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Fresh off the team's first tournament victory in more than two years, the University of Houston golf team returns to action Monday during the Kansas Invitational at Alvamar Golf Club.

The Cougars join a competitive field on the 6,950-yard, par-72 course, including host Kansas, Illinois State, Kansas State, Oklahoma City, South Dakota State, Saint Louis, Western Kentucky, Wichita State, Missouri-Kansas City, Nebraska, Northern Iowa and Texas-San Antonio.

The tournament begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m., Monday with the final 18 holes to begin at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday.

In their last outing, the Cougars earned the program's first tournament victory at the Cobb/Ferrell Mean Green Classic since winning the last of five consecutive Conference USA Championships in 2002.

UH rallied from a seven-stroke deficit entering the final 18 holes and recorded the best team score of the day by a 12-stroke margin.

Individually, junior Zach Mowbray captured medalist honors after being only golfer to crack 70 during the Mean Green Classic's final round. With a career-best 68 in the final round, the Mesa, Ariz., native jumped into first place for his first collegiate tournament victory.

He became the first golfer since Brett Callas in 2003 to win a collegiate tournament. Sophomore Ricky Romano, who was named to the 2004 Conference USA All-Freshmen Team, finished in a tie for third at 1-over-par 217.

Sophomore Pablo Acuna, freshman Jordan Irwin and senior Jordan Hasbrouck each finished among the Top 25 individual leaders.

All five Cougar golfers from last week as well as senior Daniel Angenscheidt will compete Monday at the Kansas Invitational.

The Cougars should be familiar with the course after competing there a year ago. UH tied for seventh place out of 15 teams. Romano and Denton Walker each tied for 11th after shooting 1-over-par 217 over 54 holes.