Laramie, Wyo. (Nov. 1, 2019) --  The first round of the 2019 Ka'anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational saw the Wyoming Cowboys get off to a strong start, shooting seven-under par on the front nine with all four individual Cowboys whose scores counted also shooting under-par rounds.  But on the back nine, the Pokes found the going more challenging, finishing the opening round at 288 (+4) and in 16th place in the field of 20 top collegiate golf teams.  Wyoming's top individuals at the conclusion of the first round were sophomore Kirby Coe-Kirkham and redshirt freshman Liam Clancy, who both shot opening rounds of 71 (Even) par to tie for 57th.
 
Kansas and Oklahoma hold the first round lead after firing opening rounds of 268 (-16) to hold a one-shot lead over UCLA at 269 (-15).  Oklahoma entered the tournament ranked No. 5 in the most recent Golfstaf national rankings.  KU is ranked 44th in the nation, and UCLA is ranked 23rd.  This year's Ka'anapali Classic features eight of the nation's Top 50 ranked teams.
 
Individually, Garett Reband of Oklahoma and Andy Spencer of Kansas share the first-round lead at 64 (-7).  They hold a one stroke lead over five other individuals at 65 (-6).
 
In addition to Coe-Kirkam, Wyoming's other team members include: senior Dan Starzinski and junior Bryce Waters, who are both tied for 69th at 72 (+1), and junior Carl Underwood and sophomore Tyler Severin, who are tied for 80th at 73 (+2).  Redshirt freshman Clancy, competing as an individual, is tied with Coe-Kirkham in 57th place after his opening round 71 (Even).  Sophomore Jared Edeen is also competing as an individual for the Pokes and is tied for 117th at 80 (+9).
 
"We started well, but later in the round we just couldn't get any putts to fall," said Joe Jensen, UW Director of Golf.  "Everyone played consistently, but we weren't able to shoot any low rounds.  We had a good meeting this afternoon, and the guys are looking forward to tomorrow and playing a good second round." 
 
The second round of the Ka'anapali Classic will tee off at 12:30 p.m., M.T. on Saturday, with the third to conclude on Sunday.  The tournament is being played on the Ka'anapali Golf Course at the  Ka'anapali Golf Club in Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i.  The course measures 6,700 yards and plays to a Par 71.