UC Irvine, competing in its eighth regional in the past nine years, is in eighth place following Thursday's first round of the NCAA Men's Golf West Regional at the 6,849-yard, par-72 Lake Merced Championship Course in Daly City, Calif. Big West Champion UC Davis, making its first NCAA postseason appearance since its Div. II membership in 2003, shot a 10-over 298 and is in 12th place.
Arizona State leads the 13-team field after carding a nine-under 279 to hold a one-shot lead over second place New Mexico State.
Leading the way for the Anteaters is junior John Chin who sits in 13th place after opening with a one-under round of 71. Freshman Roberto Francioni is 20th at 72 and senior Sean Shahi and sophomore Max Greil are tied for 37th place at 73. Sophomore Bryan Harris rounds out the five-man team with a first round score of 74 to place 49th.
Senior Nate Pistaccho birdied two of his final four holes to fight back to a one-over-par 73 as the UC Davis men's golf team opened the West Regional by finishing the first round in 12th place. Pistacchio is tied for 37th after firing his 73, leading the UC Davis quintet. Sophomore Austin Graham is tied for 49th after shooting 74 and freshman Tyler Raber posted a 75 to tie for 53rd. Ramie Sprinkling sits in 60th place after carding a 76, while junior Brent Booth shot 78 to grab 71st place.
Playing as an individual, Cal Poly's Geoff Gonzalez carded a one-under-par 71 in the opening round of the West Regional. Gonzalez, competing in an NCAA Regional for the second time in his Mustang career, finished the opening round in a tie for 13th place with six other golfers.
Cal State Northridge's Nick Delio finds himself in a tie for 60th after firing a first round score of 76. Delio, a two-time First Team All-Big West Conference selection, finished the regular season with a team-best 72.34 stroke average after finishing his freshman season with a school-record 71.94 average. Delio and Gonzalez are two of 10 golfers selected to compete as Individuals at the West Regional.
Eighteen holes each are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The top five teams following Saturday's final round will advance to the NCAA Championship at The Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, May 25-30.