March 30, 2011
HUMBLE, Texas - The Texas A&M golf program will be well-represented at this week's PGA Tour stop, as five Aggies will compete in the $5.9 million Shell Houston Open beginning Thursday at Redstone Golf Club.
Shane Bertsch (Class of `94), Bobby Gates (Class of '08), Jeff Maggert (A&M All-American, 1986), Ryan Palmer (Class of '00) and Martin Piller (Class of '08) will all compete against a field that includes Gary Woodland, Matt Kuchar, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Steve Strickar, Steve Elkington, Ernie Els and many more. Tickets start as low as $25 and can be purchased online at shellhoustonopen.com.
Bertsch will be the first Aggie to take the course, opening play on the 10th tee at 8:30 a.m. He is paired with Alex Cejka and James Driscoll.
Maggert will take the course at 12:20 p.m. from hole No. 1 along with Kent Jones and Roland Thatcher. Palmer is paired with Cameron Beckman and Chez Reavie and will start on the first hole at 1:10 p.m.
Gates is paired with Kevin Chappell and Steve Dartnall and will tee off at 1:50 p.m. from the first hole, while Piller is paired with D.J. Brigman and Lonny Alexander and will start on the 10th tee at 2 p.m.
The Golf Channel will air Thursday's first round and Friday's second round from 2-5 p.m. (CDT), with NBC Sports showing the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. (CDT).
Much more information, including tickets, directions, parking and more, can be found at shellhoustonopen.com.