BYU Places Second at Ashworth Invitational

WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- The BYU men's golf team came to life in the final round of the 2005 Ashworth Collegiate Invitational, taking second place as they pulled ahead of No. 8 Southern California and came within two strokes of the tournament champion No. 21 Tennessee.

The Cougars, who began the final round eight strokes back of Tennessee and four strokes back of USC, carded the day's best round of golf with a 1-under-par 283. As has become the custom, BYU started off slow in the final round, shooting six over par in the first four holes, but turned its game around and dropped six strokes to finish the tournament at two over par.

"It was a bit of a roller coaster today," said head coach Bruce Brockbank. "Bottom line, it was pretty impressive how the guys hung in there and finished the way they did, shooting under par. I was pleased with the way they stayed in there and handled the situation."

Senior Ron Harvey, Jr. followed up two great opening rounds yesterday, shooting a 2-under-par 69 in the final round to finish the tournament in fourth place, his best finish this season. During the final round, Harvey carded five birdies, ten pars and three bogeys.

"Ron played great," Brockbank said. "He's our No. 4 golfer and I think the way he played really shows the depth of this golf team. He played great on the toughest course we've played this season."

During the last two tournaments, Harvey has improved on each sequential round. At the John A. Burns Intercollegiate he shot 73-71-69 and at this year's Ashworth Invitational he shot 72-70-69.

"I'm just trying to approach every round separately," Harvey said. "I try to learn from each round and make improvements during the next one."

Senior Greg Machtaler, who finished the tournament in sixth place at even par, had a final round full of ups and downs, carding six birdies, eight pars, two bogeys and two double bogeys (71).

Oscar Alvarez and Jake Ellison completed BYU's team score as they both finished in a 12-place tie at two over par in the tournament. Nick Becker had another difficult day, shooting a final-round 75 and finishing at 11 over par. Todd Miller, who played as an individual, finished the tournament shooting a 7-over-par 220.

This year's tournament marks the fourth time the Cougars have qualified four golfers in the top 20 (Fresno Lexus Classic, Borona Collegiate Cup, Arizona Intercollegiate and Ashworth Collegiate Invitational).

BYU travels to Bandon Dunes, Ore. March 19 to compete in the Northwest Shootout.

North Ranch Country Club -- Par 71 -- 6,815 yards
TEAM RESULTS
1.   Tennessee          284-279-289--852
2.   BYU                291-280-283--854
3.   USC                287-280-294--861
4.   Georgia Southern   286-285-294--865
5.   California         296-290-284--870
6.   Washington         293-301-284--878
7.   Stanford           299-285-296--880
8.   Pepperdine         305-287-291--883
9.   UC Riverside       297-299-289--885
10.  Fresno St.         298-302-288--888
T11. Vanderbilt         301-293-298--892
T11. Oregon St.         295-300-297--892
13.  UC Irvine          305-297-292--894
14.  Washington St.     314-299-299--912
15.  Oregon             303-313-305--921
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1.   Aron Price       Georgia Southern  69-64-70--203 (-9)
2.   Ross McGowan     Tennessee         69-67-72--208 (-6)
3.   James Lepp       Washington        71-68-71--210 (-3)
4.   Ron Harvey, Jr.  BYU               72-70-69--211 (-2)
T6.  Greg Machtaler   BYU               73-69-71--213 (E)
T12. Oscar Alvarez    BYU               74-70-71--215 (+2)
T12. Jake Ellison     BYU               72-71-72--215 (+2)
T43. Nick Becker      BYU               77-72-75--224 (+11)
T28. Todd Miller*     BYU               76-70-74--220 (+7)
* Competing as an individual