May 3, 1999

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - The top-ranked UNLV golf team is in second-place after the first round of play at the 1999 Western Athletic Conference Championships, which was played Monday at the par 72, 6,825-yard Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Brigham Young shot a three-under-par 285 to grab hold of the tournament's early lead. UNLV is seven shots back after firing an opening-round four-over 292. San Diego State is third with 295, New Mexico is fourth with 299 and TCU rounds out the top five with 300.

Individually, UNLV's Michael Kirk is in a tie for first place after firing a three-under 69. Kirk is tied with Billy Harvey and Manuel Merizalde, both of Brigham Young. Van Wright of Hawai'i is in fourth place at 71, while there is a five-way tie for fifth place.

Other Rebels competing were Jeremy Anderson (T10th/73), Charley Hoffman (T16th/74), Adam Scott (T25th/76) and Chris Berry (T40th/78)

The tournament will continue with 18 holes on Tuesday and conclude with 18 holes on Wednesday.

1999 WAC Championships (After Monday's First Round)

TEAM RESULTS 1. Brigham Young    285 2. UNLV             292 3. San Diego State  295 4. New Mexico       299 5. TCU              300 6. San Jose State   302    Hawai'i          302 8. Fresno State     304 9. Colorado State   309    Wyoming          30911. Utah             31012. Air Force        313    SMU              31314. UTEP             31815. Tulsa            32116. Rice             328

TOP INDIVIDUALS1. Michaek Kirk, UNLV                69   Billy Harvey, Brigham Young       69   Manuel Merizalde, Brigham Young   694. Van Wright, Hawai'i               715. Aaron Hickman, TCU                72   Magnus Carlsson, San Diego State  72   Scott Volpitto, TCU               72   Lucas Horrobin, San Jose State    72   Scott Miller, Brigham Young       72

OTHER REBEL PLAYERST10. Jeremy Anderson  73T16. Charley Hoffman  74T25. Adam Scott       76T40. Chris Berry      78