Nov. 2, 2005

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The University of Houston golf team returns to action Thursday when it competes at the Del Walker Intercollegiate.

The Cougars join a competitive field on the 6,631-yard, par-71 course at Virginia Country Club, including Colorado State, Kansas, Lamar, Nevada, North Texas, San Jose State, UTEP, Texas-San Antonio, UC Santa Barbara, Washington State and host Long Beach State.

The tournament begins with 36 holes Thursday before wrapping up with 18 holes on Friday. Live results will be available at www.golfstat.com.

The Cougars come into the tournament after finishing seventh at the Louisiana Tech/Squire Creek Invitational on Oct. 17-18 in Choudrant, La. Junior Ricky Romano led the way for the Cougars, shooting 1-over-par 217 to tie for 14th place.

Romano is second on the team with a 72.2 scoring average. Fellow junior Pablo Acuna leads the Cougars with a 71.9 average and finished second at the Kansas Invitational earlier this season for the Cougars' best individual finish of the fall campaign.

A year ago, the Cougars competed at the Del Walker Intercollegiate and finished in a tie for sixth with a team score of 880. Romano again led the Cougars with a 1-over-par 213 to tie for sixth on the individual leaderboard.