GOLFER OF THE MONTH ? Boise State’s Troy Merritt, a junior from Fridley, Minn. (Winona State), competed in three tournaments last month. He opened competition by shooting a three-round total of 6-over par (75-69-78, 222) at the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, Nevada. The next week, he tied for first at the District 7 Shootout in Las Vegas, before losing in a playoff. The highlight of the tournament was his 62 (-9) during the second round, tying the school record set in 1988 by Chris Clark. He was 12-under (69-62-70) for the tournament and helped the Broncos to a second place finish. Merritt then wrapped up the month with a third place finish in the Santa Clara Invitational where he was 2-under par (73-70-71).
Others nominated: Matt Shaw, Fresno State; Ryan Perez, Hawai?i; Corey Bartlett, Louisiana Tech; Taylor Coffman, Nevada; Freddy Esparza, New Mexico State; Stephan Stallworth, San Jose State; and Devin Daniels, Utah State.
COFFMAN ADVANCES TO PLAYOFF ? Freshman Taylor Coffman lost in the second hole of a playoff to take second at the 2006 Barona Collegiate Cup in Lakeside, Calif. A day after carding a pair of career-low 67s, Coffman shot a three-under 69 in Tuesday’s final round to finish in a tie for first with UAB’s Zack Sucher (65-69-69) for first place at 13-under 203.
NMSU WINS OWN TOURNAMENT ? New Mexico State won its own Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate by 10 strokes in late October. Senior Freddy Esparza led the Aggies as he fired a career low 5-under-par 67 in the final round to give him second place. He was only two stokes behind Nebraska’s Brady Schnell who brought in a three round total of 10-under-par 206. The Aggies shot a team total of 13-under-par 851. San Jose State, who was in second after the first day of play, dropped down the leader board to finish in third place carding a 3-over-par 867.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP ? The 2007 Wells Fargo WAC Championship travels to Reno, Nevada and the Hidden Valley Country Club. This year’s Championship will be held April 30-May 2.