Sept. 8, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - The University of California men's golf team has set its sights high for the 2008-09 season and in Monday's opening day action at the Olympic Club Collegiate, Cal tore up the course, building an 11-stroke advantage in the 15-team field.

Seniors George Gandranata and Michael Jensen are tied for the lead after the first two rounds at 141 (-1). Both players shot opening round 71's and followed with 70's in the afternoon session. Sophomore Stephen Hale is just behind the senior Bear duo with an even-par 142. The Cal trio are the only golfers in the event not shooting over par on day one.

Cal's team score of 568 is even par and 11 strokes ahead of second-place UAB (579, +11). Xavier is in third place at 582 (+14), while Colorado (583, +15) and San Diego (584, +16) round out the top five.

Action concludes with third round action beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at the historic Olympic Club.

After Cal's threesome at the top of the leader board, junior John Murphy, a transfer from Old Dominion University making his first appearance as a Golden Bear, is tied for sixth place at 144 (+2). Sophomore Eric Mina is tied for 19th place with a 146 (+4).

Olympic Club Collegiate
September 8, 2008
Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif.
Par-71

Cal Individual Results

T1. George Gandranata: 71-70 - 141 (-1)
T1. Michael Jensen: 71-70 - 141 (-1)
3. Stephen Hale: 72-70 - 142 (E)
T6. John Murphy: 73-71 - 144 (+2)
T19. Eric Mina: 74-72 - 146 (+4)
T51. Evan Derian: 77-75 - 152 (+10) - competing as individual

Team Standings
1. California: 287-281 - 568 (E)
2. UAB: 288-291 - 579 (+11)
3. Xavier: 293-289 - 582 (+14)
4. Colorado: 294-289 - 583 (+15)
5. San Diego: 296-288 - 584 (+16)
6. San Francisco: 291-297 - 588 (+20)
7. Oregon State: 298-294 - 592 (+24)
8. Nevada: 294-299 - 593 (+25)
9. St. Mary's: 296-298 - 594 (+26)
T10. San Francisco: 302-295 - 597 (+29)
T10. Notre Dame: 298-299 - 597 (+29)
T10. Wisconsin: 302-295 - 597 (+29)
13. Santa Clara: 302-300 - 602 (+34)
T14. Rice: 303-304 - 607 (+39)
T14. Hartford: 301-306 - 607 (+39)