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Men ready to challenge for Pac-10 Championship

The Arizona men's golf team begins the first day of play today at the Pacific 10 Conference Championship, held at the Karsten Golf Course in Tempe.

The No. 10 Wildcats placed second behind No. 4 Arizona State - which has won the last five Pac-10 championships - last week at the ASU Thunderbird/Savane Invitational.

The invitational was held at the same golf course as the Pac-10 Championship and should give the UA an advantage going into play.

"We lost to them last week when all of us didn't play as good as we could have," freshman Reid Hatley said. "I personally think we have a good chance of winning."

The conference championship will likely end up being a battle between in-state rivals Arizona and Arizona State, as the two teams are the conference's only teams ranked in the top-10.

"Pretty much it's just ASU and us. I just believe that we are that much better than the other teams," senior All-American Derek Gillespie said. "Whoever can do the best will win but I don't think any of the other schools will have a chance."

The Sun Devils could hold the advantage, though, as the Karsten Golf Course is their home course, and the team is very familiar with its surroundings.

"The advantage goes to ASU because it's their home course," Hatley said. "They are the team to beat."

The Wildcats have finished in the top-10 in each of their last eight tournaments they have participated in and are confident going into the championship.

"We have certainly gained confidence in the last two months," head coach Rick LaRose said. "We need to play the best golf we have played all year this week, it's a tough tournament to win."

Individually, Gillespie and freshman Ricky Barnes figure to be among the leaders at the Pac-10 championship.

"I'm playing pretty well right now," Gillespie said. "I'm feeling confident so I'm looking forward to it."

Gillespie, who is ranked No. 20 in the nation, finished one stroke behind ASU's Paul Casey last week for the top honor at the Thunderbird/Savane Invitational.

Barnes, who has the lowest stroke average of 71.56 for the Wildcats, is also expected to have a strong tournament.

"Barnes has been steady all year," LaRose said.

Hatley, the other starting freshmen, has been working with LaRose to prepare his game for the Pac-10 championship.

"Coach has been working with me on my mental game because I get mad at myself," Hatley said.

LaRose believes that in order for the Wildcats to come out on top, he needs his freshmen to have a successful tournament.

"Our freshmen are our key to success," LaRose said.