by By Andrew Stern, NMSU communications
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Behind a pair of strong front nine performances from Aidan Thomas (Laguna Pueblo) and Scott Rescigno, the NM State men’s golf team finished the opening round with a team score of 300 (+12) to sit in 13th place of the 21-team Gene Miranda Falcon Invite hosted by the Air Force Academy at the Eisenhower Blue Course.
The Aggies started strong Friday, using a pair of under-par rounds from the aforementioned Rescigno and Garrison Smith to make the turn at -1 as a team.
The final nine started strong for the Aggies as Thomas, Smith and Rescigno combined to play the opening four holes of the back nine at -4 under par.
The final five holes of the round proved to be difficult for the Aggies, as the squad shot a combined +17 on holes 14-18.
Thomas and Rescigno currently sit tied for 33rd overall, while Smith finds himself in a tie for 46th overall.
In total, just three of the 21-teams in the event sit below par after the first round. UC Davis fired a combined team score of 279 (-9) and will take a four-shot lead into the second round of the 54-hole tournament. UC Davis is followed by San Jose State (-5) and Denver (-2).
Jackson Solem used six birdies from holes 4-10 to fire a bogey free round of 66. His score of -6, is one shot better than TJ Shehee of Northern Colorado who used six front-nine birdies (seven overall) to fire a 67 (-5).
AGGIE LINEUP
1) Aidan Thomas 74 +2 T-33
2) Garrison Smith 75 +3 T-46
3) Scott Rescigno 74 +2 T-33
4) Alvaro Morales 77 +5 T-63
5) Cooper Sears 78 +6 T-76
