March 8, 2008 (11 AM PST)–The No. 22 UNLV men's golf team shot an opening-round even-par 288 on Friday and is tied for second place at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship, which is being hosted by the Rebels, the Las Vegas Founders and Private Las Vegas golf course Southern Highlands Golf Club (par 72, 7510). USC was the only team to break par during the first day of play and leads the field by three strokes at 3-under 285. Defending champion UCLA is also tied for second at even-par. Charlotte and Georgia are both tied for fourth at 1-over 289. However, UNLV is making an early move in the second round and is alone in second through three holes. UNLV senior Matt Kinsinger, who won medalist honors at the 2006 Southern Highlands Collegiate Championship playing as an individual, was tied for first with Charlotte's Jonas Enander Hedin after both golfers shot first-round scores of 4-under 68. Click now for
Kinsinger's scores will count towards UNLV's team total this year. There is a four-way tie for third place, one shot back at 3-under, while four more golfers are at 2-under. Kinsinger, after one hole, in the second round was in second place.
Other UNLV team-counting scores and places: sophomore Eddie Olson (71, T11th), sophomore Brett Kanda (74, T26th), junior Seung-su Han (75, T34th) and freshman Ji Moon (81, T74th).
UNLV players playing as individuals, scores and places: senior C.J. Gatto (73, T20th), senior Brandon Loska (74, T26th), senior Jarred Texter (76, T43rd), freshman Jeremiah Wooding (79, T62nd) and sophomore Johnny Pinjuv (90, 81st).
The tournament features seven of the top-10 teams in the country, according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Poll, as well as six of the top-10 individuals. Additionally, the event features 14 of the nation's top-30 collegiate players and four U.S. Walker Cup team members. There are 15 total teams competing in the event.
REPORT: Andy Grossman, UNLV Sports Information Director