University of Houston
Gopher Invitational
Golf in 12th after First Day at Gopher Invitational
9/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sept. 11, 2011
| First-Day Results | Live Scoring
WAYZATA, Minn. - The University of Houston golf team stood in 12th place Sunday evening following the first day of the season-opening Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill Golf Club.
The Cougars posted a team score of 304 in Sunday's morning round and bettered that by three strokes during the final 18 holes of the day on the par-72, 7,020-yard course.
"This is a demanding course that makes you put the ball in play," said head coach Jonathan Dismuke, who is in his third year with the program. "Unfortunately, we did not drive the ball well, and we didn't take advantage of the par-5s."
Appearing in his first collegiate event, freshman Roman Robledo showed some of the Cougars' greatest improvement during the day. After shooting a first-round 76, the Harlingen, Texas, native posted an even-par 72 and stood in a tie for 20th place at 148.
Sophomore Wesley McClain enjoyed the Cougars' biggest turnaround of the day. The Diboll, Texas, native - who celebrated his 20th birthday Sunday - finished the first round with a 79 but rebounded nicely with a 73 in the second round of the day. McClain's back nine in the afternoon session featured a team-high four birdies. He stood in a tie for 40th place at 152.
Other Cougars in action were sophomore Curtis Reed (154, t-48th), junior James Ross (154-, t-48th), who was making his Houston debut, and sophomore Jessie Droemer (55th, 155).
Notre Dame stood atop the team leaderboard with a 36-hole score of 577, four strokes ahead of Arkansas. Charlotte (587), SMU (588) and Iowa (589) rounded out the top-five team leaders.
Individually, Notre Dame's Paul McNamara led all players at 139, one stroke ahead of Iowa's Barrett Kelpin, and four strokes better than three other players.
The final round tees off at 8 a.m., Monday on holes No. 1 and No. 10. Fans can follow live scoring at GolfStat.com by clicking the appropriate links or by clicking here.
This is the first of four fall tournaments for the Cougars this season. It also marks the program's first appearance at the Gopher Invitational.
