UCO struggles in first round of spring season

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 4) – Central Oklahoma struggled at the start and never recovered in the first round of the Las Vegas Desert Classic here Sunday.

The No. 18-ranked Bronchos – playing their first tournament of the spring season – finished with a 319 on the 6,962-yard, par-72 Royal Links Golf Club and are tied for 16th in the 18-team field.

Top-ranked West Florida and Grand Valley State share the lead at 297, followed by Arkansas Tech (298) and Regis (299).  Second-round play tees off at 10 a.m. (Oklahoma time) Monday, with the final round of the three-day, 54-hole tournament at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

UCO’s five-player contingent was a combined 23-over-par on their first six holes before playing the final 12 holes eight-over.  The Bronchos made nearly as many double bogeys (six) as birdies (seven) and also had two triple bogeys.

Eli Armstrong and Nick Pierce both shot 78 to lead Central.  Blake Berry shot an 80 despite making four birdies, while Wesley Jackson and Alexanders Hughes had 83s.