MARICOPA, Ariz. (May 17, 2023) – The Cowboy golf team closed out strong on the back nine during the opening round of the GOLFWEEK National Golf invitational on Friday at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. The Pokes sit in third place after the first day at 282 (-6), which is tied for the fourth-lowest team round of the season for the Brown and Gold.
 
The Pokes were led by a trio of players in Patrick Azevedo, Jaren Calkins and Kristof Panke, as all three carded 69 (-3) on Friday. The group is tied for fourth place after the first round.
 
"We are excited to be a team one more time this season," UW head coach Joe Jensen said. "This is such a great springboard into next season, and this was a solid start to the tournament. It will be a battle here for the next two days and field will be bunched up with all the talent our here. We did a good job of overcoming some adversity during the round and we showed great grit."
 
Azevedo recorded a field-best nine birdies for the round including five on the back nine on five-straight holes. Calkins recorded six birdies for the round and was four-under on the back nine. Panke had a strong finish as well with three birdies in the final six holes.
 
Davis Seybert added a 75 (+3) for the opening round for the Brown and Gold. Jimmy Dales finished the day at 77 (+5).
 
TCU leads the field at nine-under followed by Richmond at eight-under and the Pokes at six-under par.
 
The Cowboys return to action on Saturday morning for the second round of competition.
 
Cowboy Scores
T4 - Kristof Panke – 69 = 69 (-3) 
T4 - Patrick Azevedo - 69 =69 (-3)   
T4 - Jaren Calkins - 69 = 69 (-3) 
T31 - Davis Seybert - 75 = 75 (+3)
T41 - Jimmy Dales - 77 = 77 (+5)
 
Team Standings
1. TCU (-9)
2. Richmond (-8)
3. Wyoming (-6)
4. Washington State (-5)
5. Butler (-4)
6. CSUN (+2)
7. SIUE (+4)
8. Valpo (+9)
8. Belmont (+10)
10. LIU (+15)