With all five golfers within three-strokes of each other, the Western New Mexico University men's golf team is leading the talented field by three-strokes after the opening round of the WNMU Fall Intercollegiate took place at the University Golf Course.
The No. 21 Mustangs carded a 282 to hold a three-shot lead over Cal State Monterey Bay. Cal State Monterey Bay's Carr Vernon and Chico State's Alistair Docherty are tied for first after each shot four-under 67's.
Junior All-American Harry Wetton (Bedford, England/The Bedford School) and senior All-RMAC Deryk "Buzz" Perales paced the way for the Mustangs each opening with 70's and are tied for sixth. Wetton found his grove during the middle holes posting a birdie on holes eight, 10 and 15, while posting an eagle on the par-five 560 yard hole 12. Perales had a different approach as he found his stroke right out of the gate with a birdie on hole one and then posting his own eagle on the par-five 568 yard hole five. He followed that up with back-to-back birdies on holes six and seven before finishing with another birdie on hole 16.
Senior All-American Thomas Neve (Epsom, England/Cams Hill School/Merrist College) and junior Jamie Waltmire were next just a stroke back as they each carded 71's to sit in a tie for 12th. Neve had three birdies during his round, including a pair early on holes one and three. Waltmire ended his round strong with a pair of birdies on holes 14 and 15.
Senior All-American Calum Hill (Kinross, Scotland/Kinross HS) was just a few shots back of Neve and Waltmire posting a 73 and is tied for 32nd. He collected three birdies on the day finishing strong on the back-nine with birdies on holes 12 and 14.
WNMU's "B" team also competed posting a 312 and are in 24th. Freshman Patrick Niland (Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano HS) led the way as he tallied a 77 and is tied for 83rd. He had a birdie on hole five. Sophomore Ross White(Dollar, Scotland/Kinross HS) and freshman Robbie Kemsley (Glasgow, Scotland/The High School of Glasgow) were just a shot back as each fired 78's and are tied for 91st. White opened with a birdie on the first hole, while Kemsley recorded a birdie on hole 12. Rounding out the golfers the WNMU, senior Daniel Young (Cheshire, England/Eaton Bank HS) carded a 79 and is tied for 99th. Young was the third Mustang to post an eagle as his came on the par-five 568 yard hole four. He also added a birdie on hole 12.
The second and final round of the WNMU Fall Intercollegiate will begin on Tuesday morning beginning at 8 a.m.