NEW ORLEANS - The Santa Clara men's golf team opened the 2009 spring season with a solid performance in the first round of the Mardi Gras Invitational hosted by the University of New Orleans. The Broncos are in seventh place after the first 36 holes with a team score of 604.

Currently in first place is Southeastern Louisiana University with a score of 589. The Lions were in third place after the first round. Mercer University is just one stroke behind with a score of 590 and West Florida University, which was in first place after the first round, is third with a score of 596.

The Broncos are paced by junior Jimmy Cacho, who is tied for fifth at two-over par 146.

Two competitors are tied for the individual title. Vaita Guillaume (Campbell) and Ryan Blackburn (Mercer) are tied at two-under par 142.

After a very windy first round, SCU was tied for fourth place with the University of New Orleans with a score of 301. Freshman Ronnald Monaco was tied for sixth place with an even-par 72.

The final round of the Mardi Gras Invitational begins at 6 a.m. PT on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the TCP of Louisiana.

Day One Scores
7 - Santa Clara - 301 - 303 - 604
T 5 - Jimmy Cacho - 73 - 73 - 146
T 27 - Shaun Pienkos - 77 - 75 - 152
T 37 - Ronnald Monaco - 72 - 82 - 154
T 52 - Jonathan Keane - 79 - 78 - 157
T 60 - Danny Cacho - 82 - 77 - 159