Sept. 19, 2011
Results
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The UNLV men's golf team team shot a final-round 5-under par to tie for the tournament's top spot after 54 holes, then shot a score of 2-under on the first playoff hole to win the team title at the season-opening Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational, which was played at the Eisenhower Golf Club's Blue Course (par 72, 7,363 yards).
The Rebels entered the final round two shots back of Colorado, who shot a final-round 3-under 285, but both teams had a tournament-record score of 20-under 844 entering the playoff. The Buffaloes shot even par on the first hole of the playoff, giving the Rebels the tournament's team title. Colorado State finished third at 7-under 857, while North Carolina State was fourth at even-par, and Ball State rounded out the top five at 2-over 866. The tournament featured 19 teams.
UNLV junior Kevin Penner shot 4-under 68 during the final round to finish in a tie for first at 7-under 209 with Ball State's T.J. Carpenter. Because of travel obligations, no individual playoff was held and both players were crowned co-champions. The pair finished one shot better than Colorado's Kevin Kring and Colorado State's Zahkai Brown, who both carded 6-under 210 for the tournament.
A total of four Rebels finished in the top 15. Sophomore Blake Biddle finished tied for eighth at 4-under 212 after a final-round 70, while senior Derek Ernst (1-under 215, 75) and sophomore Nicholas Maruri (1-under 215, 77) both tied for 15th. Freshman Carl Jonson tied for 29th at 2-over 218 after a final-round score of 2-under 70. The tournament had a total of 100 individuals.
"It was nice that the guys set a tournament record," UNLV head coach Dwaine Knight said. "But the big thing was that everyone on the team contributed. It was a great week and with Kevin also getting a win, it was a good showing for the Rebels. This victory should really help our confidence. It was a special win for us and to have every member of the squad contribute is a great sign."
The Rebels will be back in action Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
