Feb. 8, 2010

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog will be chasing wild Mustangs in the final round of the Fourth Annual Callaway Invitational played at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., hosted by the University of San Diego.

USD Callaway Inv. Results from Day 1

Fresno State finished the first day with a 36-hole total of 581, six shots behind No. 25 SMU, the only team in front of them. The Bulldogs are tied with the host Toreros and are 10 shots ahead of UC Irvine, which stands in fourth place of the 14-team field.

This course will serve as the host for the 2011 NCAA West Regional Championships. Sophomore Bhavik Patel is in second place at 5-under par after shooting 69-70--139. He trails SMU's Matt Schovee, who shot 71-67--138. Patel is coming off a tie for second place at the 2010 Ping Arizona Intercollegiate.

Senior Grant Doverspike is tied for fourth place, just four shots off the lead, at 2-under par (69-73--142).

The Dogs held a one-stroke lead over San Diego after the first round, played in the morning, but shooting a team total of 287.

Bryan Hogan shot two rounds of 75 to tie for 27th place.

"SMU is the favorite and we are right there with them," said Hall of Fame coach Mike Watney. "Although we are a little disappointed in some of our scores today, the guys are excited to get to play in the feature group tomorrow. Bhavik and Grant played very well today. Bhavik is really a good player and hitting the ball very well. He's putting solidly and on this course that isn't easy. These greens are really tough, a lot of slope."

Watney described The Farms Club as a very beautiful yet very tough course, citing one player in the field who shot a 101.

"This is the one most beautiful courses I've ever seen that's not on the Pacific Ocean," said Watney. "I'm glad that our guys are getting to play it. It will be beneficial for next year's NCAA championships. It's a tough course especially if you don't hit it straight. If you hit it crooked you are in for some big scores. College players can hit it long but at times they can get on the wild side, so this is a very good test."

The tournament concludes Tuesday morning with the final round of 18 holes at the Farm Golf Club.

"We are Your Team" The Bulldog men's golf team concludes the final round of the University of San Diego Callaway Invitational on Tuesday, Feb. 9, in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Follow gobulldogs.com for more information.