UTSA senior Mike Mezei

UTSA golf team opens season with Colorado victory

(Sept. 24, 2003)--The UTSA men's golf team, led by a first-place record performance from senior Mike Mezei, opened the 2003-2004 golf season Sept. 19-20 with a resounding three-stroke victory at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational hosted by the United States Air Force Academy at the historic Eisenhower Blue Course (par 72-7301 yards).

Mezei tied a 30-year-old tournament record by shooting a nine-under-par 207 to win the individual championship by three strokes over Luke Swilor of the University of Utah.

Mezei, a native of Lethbridge, Canada, had rounds of 66, 71 and 70 as he cruised to the victory at a tournament and course that over the years has seen the likes of Hale Irwin, Steve Jones, Tom North and Johnny Miller.

Fueled by Mezei and a third-place finish by sophomore John Elizondo, who shot a two-under-par 214, UTSA won the team title over a field that featured 18 schools. The Roadrunners shot a three-round total of 859, three strokes better than Utah, which finished second, while New Mexico was third with an 870.

Other UTSA finishers included Luke Healy, who ended 23rd with a total of 220, while Matt Johnston tied for 26th with a total of 221, and Ryan Cromwell was in a tie for 69th with a 231.

"It's thrilling for us to go out so early in the season and score a tournament championship," said head coach Chris Donielson, who saw the Roadrunners win a tournament for the second time during his tenure which began in 2000. "Mike (Mezei) was phenomenal, picking up where he left off during his outstanding summer play. John Elizondo, Luke Healy and the rest of the team provided the necessary support for us to pick up the tournament win. Hopefully it will be the start of an exciting season to come."

The Roadrunners will return to action for their second tournament of the fall season when they travel to Waco, Texas, to play in the Baylor Invitational Sept. 29-30.

For more information, contact Rick Nixon at 210-458-4551.