Feb. 23, 2004

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's golf team had a superb first day at the Anteater Invitational hosted by UC Irvine at the Santa Ana Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif. The Broncos fired team rounds of 294 and 296, placing them in a tie with UC Irvine, just 11 shots behind second-ranked UCLA.

Senior Justin Ahasic led the way for the Broncos with his stellar rounds of 2-under par 70 in the morning round, followed by a 4-under par, 68 in round two, placing him atop the leaderboard by three shots. Matt Mincer from Charlotte is three shots back while Peter Campbell of UCLA is five shots back, rounding out the only players who played below par on the day.

Michael Nicoletti carded rounds of 74 and 75 for a first day total of 5-over par, 149, placing him in a tie for 13th place after day one. Jonathan Edwards sits in a tie for 27th place after his rounds of 74 and 78.

Jong Yoon posted a 76 in the morning and followed that up with a 77 in the afternoon round, giving him a two round total of 9-over par, 153, leaving him in a tie for 31st. Matt Klenz rounded out the Bronco scoring with his 11-over par score of 155, carding rounds of 79 and 76 for a share of 40th place.

SCU and UCI share second place by five shots over UC Riverside and Cal Poly. West Coast Conference foes Portland and San Diego are in eighth and 10th place, respectively, with their team scores of 613 and 619.

Monday's total of 590 marked the second lowest first day total for the Broncos this season, trailing only their output at the UOP Invitational where they posted scores of 298 and 287 for a first day total of 585. However, SCU was in ninth place at the UOP Invite after day one.

Tuesday's third and final round of the Anteater Invitational will again be played at the 6,547-yard, par-72 course located in southern California. Last year the Broncos finished in a tie for 10th place after rounds of 303, 303 and 324.