The Broncos Continue Their Season in Utah

What’s Happening - The Boise State University men’s golf team will journey to Layton, Utah, to compete in the Purple and Red Invitational co-hosted by Utah and Weber State Sept. 24-25.

The tournament will be held at the Valley View Golf Club and will feature 36 holes during the first day of competition followed by the final 18 holes, Tuesday.

The Field - The tournament will feature 18 teams including Boise State, Dixie State, Gonzaga, Hartford, Idaho, Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland, Sacramento State, Santa Clara, Southern Utah, Texas-Pan American, Utah Valley University, and Wyoming along with hosts Utah and Weber State.

The Players - Boise State returns all its starters to a team that finished third at the 2006 WAC Championships. The team will be led by seniors Matt Hastings and Troy Merritt. Joining the veterans at the tournament will be sophomores John Baranco, Chase Cochran and Robbie Richards..

Merritt earned his second career individual title Sept. 18, at the Giustina Memorial Classic at Corvallis, Ore. Merritt’s talent and skill was on display throughout the tournament as he registered 14 birdies en route to posting a 214 (-16) for the tournament. Merritt was also a first-team All-WAC selection in 2006. He placed himself throughout the Boise State record book in his first season with the team. Merritt ranks third in season scoring average at 71.9 strokes per round, set the Boise State single round conference championship score with a 66 (-6) and tied for the low round in Bronco history with a 62 (-9) at the District VII Shootout. Merritt also captured the individual title at the Ron Moore Invitational.

Hastings is a three-year starter for Boise State holds a career scoring average of 73.6 and is tied for seventh on the Bronco’s list of career top 25 finishes with 15. He posted his career low round at the Purple and Red Invitational with a 67 (-5) in the final round. Hastings is also tied for seventh on the Bronco’s all-time list for career top 10 finishes with 6.

Baranco appeared in only five tournaments for Boise State last season but that did not deter him from making a name for himself. He posted three top 25 finishes for the Broncos in the five tournaments including a seventh place finish at the WAC Championships. Baranco also qualified for the Boise State record books as he averaged 72.9 strokes per round to tie for fifth in season scoring average.

Cochran appeared in the Vandal Classic last season and posted a 225 (+9) including his career low round of 72 (E) in the second round. At the Giustina Memorial Classic he matched his career low round by shooting an even-par 72 in the second round. He finished the tournament with a 229 (+13).

Last season Richards appeared in seven tournaments for the Broncos. He averaged 78.5 over 20 rounds of play and posted a career low round of 70 (-2) at the Thunderbird Invitational.

--www.broncosports.com--

Related Videos