October 02, 2006
Texas A&M's Bobby Gates fired a three-under-par 67 to lead the Aggies into second place after the first round of the PING/Golfweek Preview at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, the site of the 2007 NCAA Championship. The tournament continues through Wednesday.
A&M carded a team-score of even-par 280 and trails Georgia (279) by one stroke. Florida is in third at 281, followed by defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma State (282), UNLV (283), Lamar (285), Arizona State (287), BYU (287), Georgia Tech (288), Clemson (290), Minnesota (290), Kentucky (292), Virginia Commonwealth (294), Wake Forest (295) and Washington (298).
Gates is tied for the individual lead with Arizona State's Niklas Lemke and Oklahoma State's Pablo Martin.
"I was really proud way we battled today," A&M coach J.T. Higgins said. "We got off to a shaky start and were six over after two holes, but we held it together and had a good team round. Bobby had no bogeys in his 67, which is fantastic for this golf course."
A&M's Bronson Burgoon is tied for eighth after posting a one-under 69, while Trey Todd (72) and Martin Piller (72) are tied for 28th. Chris Massoletti had a 76 and is tied for 56th.
The tournament features the top 10 teams from Golfweek's final poll last season.