Wildcats in Seventh After First Round at WAC

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – An up-and-down round saw Abilene Christian finish the first round in seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference men's golf championship on Friday.
 
ACU had fallen into last place midway through the first round but scratched its way out of trouble and into the middle of the back through the second nine holes.
 
"We struggled out of the gate and missed some birdie opportunities on some easy holes," said ACU Head Coach Tom Shaw. "Putting was an issue for us all day - we did not look very comfortable on the greens. But We held it together pretty well and managed to not lose touch with the leaders. It's going to take a low under-par around tomorrow and the next day to get back into contention. We are capable of doing just that, therefore the guys are highly anticipating tomorrow's round."
 
Logan Diomede used three birdies in his one-under-par round and is 11th on the player leaderboard.
 
Zane Heusel and Thomas Buisson had two birdies each and both finished the round at even-par at 72. Charlie Jackson shot a team-leading four birdies and sits at two-over with a 74.
 
Gregoire Hoyeau's 76 with two birdies was dismissed from the team's first-round total.
 
Through 18, ACU carded a team score of 289 and trails front-running Sam Houston by 15 strokes.
 
The second round launches Saturday with the Wildcats teeing off at 8:20 a.m.