Wildcat golf team in 2nd after opening rounds

This is the motto the Arizona men's golf team said it needs to live by as it attacks the links on the second day of competition at the Pacific 10 Conference Championships.

The Wildcats find themselves in second place, three strokes behind California (4-under par 716), who is also the host team. UA has completed 36 of the 72 holes the tournament, which is being held at the Orinda Country Club in Orinda, Calif., consists of.

In yesterday's morning round, Arizona was sluggish, finishing at 2-over par 360. The Wildcats rebounded strong, however, firing a 3-under par 357, which was the best round of the day by any squad in the 10-team field, and finished the day at 1-under par 719.

UA head coach Rick LaRose was pleased when asked about his team's play.

"The whole team played well today. We had our lapses, but overall, we were pretty steady considering we were playing on a golf course that was very goofy with small greens and real thick rough. I'm proud of my guys, they're real troopers," LaRose said.

Stanford is in third place (11-over par 731), Oregon sits in fourth (15-over par 735) and Arizona State rounds out the top five at 17-over par 737.

In the individual competition, UA junior Andy Barnes leads the way for the Wildcats. Barnes finished at 2-under par 142 yesterday, which left him in fourth place, six strokes behind the leader, Cal's Dan Arroyo (8-under par 136). Washington's Brian Nosler is second at 7-under par 137 and Joel Kribel of Stanford is third (5-under par 139).

UA senior Rory Sabbatini finished at 1-under par 143 yesterday, which puts him tied for fifth place.

"I felt I played pretty consistent, but the ball just wasn't dropping in the hole. I will keep doing the same thing tomorrow, and hopefully some putts will drop," Sabbatini said.

UA sophomore Derek Gillespie put a positive spin on his 1-over par 145.

"My rounds were not too bad today. I felt I hit (the ball) pretty well today. But, I am looking forward to (today), because (today's) the day I make my move," he said.

UA sophomore Ryan Meyer also finished at 1-over par 145 and they both reside in a group of five who are tied for 10th place.

Other Wildcat finishers were freshman Tim Weiss, who shot a 3-over par 147 and is tied for 21st place, and junior Aaron Friedman, who finished at 5-over-par 149 for a tie at the 30th slot.

Play resumes this morning at 8 when the teams plays 18 holes and the tournament concludes Wednesday.