The Aggies are in sixth place, while Middle Tennessee is in first place at 12-under 276, seven shots better than Sacramento State. Oral Roberts and Southern Illinois are tied for third at 4-under 284, while Dixie State is in fifth after shooting an even-par 288.
John Cook, making his collegiate debut and playing as an individual, led the Aggies on Day 1 of the three-day tournament, as the sophomore carded a 4-under 68 and is tied for fifth.
Cook was 1-over through his first eight holes of play. He made four-consecutive pars before recording an eagle on the par-5, 502-yard seventh hole to get to 1-under for his round.
“It was kind of a slow start for me,” Cook said. “I was hitting the ball well, but putts weren’t falling early in the round. I was 1-over through 12, so I was hoping to just finish with a couple of birdies to get me in red numbers. Coach (Dean) Johansen talked to us about taking advantage of the par-5s, and so when I stepped up to the tee on No. 7, I was thinking birdie the whole way. I stuffed my pitching wedge to within five feet and knocked in my eagle putt.”
Cook followed his eagle with a bogey on No. 8, but closed his round with four-straight birdies to get to 4-under for the day.
“Other than that bogey on 8, I was very happy with the way I finished,” Cook said. “Coming into the tournament, I was feeling really good about my game and the speed of the greens, so I was very optimistic going into the round. For me to play that well in my first college tournament was just awesome. I love golf and I am hoping to continue to play well. It means so much to me to be able to play golf for Utah State.”
Freshman Julio Arronte Sanchez, playing in just his second collegiate tournament, is tied for 12th at 1-under 71, a career low for 18 holes.
Starting his day on the par-5, 521-yard second hole, Arronte Sanchez made bogey on three of the first eight holes he played. After a par on No. 10, the native of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, birdied his next five holes to get to 2-under for the day.
“I just didn’t give up,” Arronte Sanchez said. “I was very patient throughout the round. I am looking forward to doing the same thing tomorrow and Sunday.”
Sophomore Javier Vazquez is tied for 25th at 1-over 73, senior Jesse Henderson is tied for 48th at 3-over 75 and senior Cameron Tucker is tied for 67th at 6-over 78. Besides Cook, the Aggies had two other golfers playing as individuals. Sophomore Purin Yingpisit shot a 2-over 74 and is tied for 38th, while redshirt sophomore Spencer Panter is tied for 89th after carding a 12-over 84.
Sacramento State’s Ethan Davidson is in the clubhouse with a one-shot lead after opening with a 7-under 65. Oral Roberts’ Dustin Hasley and North Dakota State’s Nate Deziel are tied for second at 6-under 66. Southern Illinois’ Matthis Besard is in fourth at 5-under 67.
The three-day tournament continues Saturday and Sunday with golfers playing 18 holes each day.
For more information on the Utah State golf program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUMensGolf, on Facebook at USUMensGolf and on Instagram at USUGolf.
Pizza Hut-Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational
Date: Feb. 11-13
Host Course: Sunbrook Golf Club
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,900
Live Scoring: https://bit.ly/3gFAmhG
TEAM RESULTS
1. Middle Tennessee – 276 (-12)
2. Sacramento State – 283 (-5)
T3. Oral Roberts – 284 (-4)
T3. Southern Illinois – 284 (-4)
5. Dixie State – 288 (E)
6. UTAH STATE – 292 (+4)
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Ethan Davidson, Sac. State – 65 (-7)
T2. Dustin Hasley, ORU – 66 (-6)
T2. *Nate Deziel, NDSU – 66 (-6)
4. Matthis Besard, SIU – 67 (-5)
T5. *John Cook, USU – 68 (-4)
T5. Justin Wingerter, SIU – 68 (-4)
T5. Michael Barnard, MT – 68 (-4)
UTAH STATE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
T5. *John Cook, USU – 68 (-4)
T12. Julio Arronte Sanchez – 71 (-1)
T25. Luis Gerardo Cantu – 73 (+1)
T25. Javier Vazquez – 73 (+1)
T38. *Purin Yingpisit – 74 (+2)
T48. Jesse Henderson – 75 (+3)
T67. Cameron Tucker – 78 (+6)
T89. *Spencer Panter – 84 (+12)
* = Playing as an individual
-USU-