Sept. 20, 1999

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

The Wyoming Cowboy golf team posted an impressive second-place finish at the Air Force Falcon Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 19. UW finished eight strokes back of team champion Notre Dame in the 24-team tournament field. Wyoming was able to make up four strokes on Notre Dame in the final round, but wasn't able to catch the Fighting Irish. UW was led by junior David Hearn, senior Reid Lende and sophomore Mike Urbatchka, who all finished in the Top 20.

Wyoming's top placer was Hearn, who finished in a tie for fifth place with Tim McMillan of Texas Wesleyan at 214, two-under par for the tournament. UW senior Lende shot a final round 71, the best of the day for the Cowboys, and vaulted from 26th place entering the final round to a tie for eighth with Jon Babich of New Mexico State and Matt Sakowitz of Air Force at 217, one-over par. The third Cowboy to finish in the Top 20 was sophomore Urbatchka. He ended the 54-hole event with a score of 221, five-over par, to tie six other individuals for 19th.

"The guys did a great job today, in spite of the weather," said UW men's golf coach Roger Prenzlow. "Reid (Lende) and David (Hearn) both shot fine rounds, and Michael's round was a good one given the conditions. We gave Notre Dame a good run for their money at the end, but couldn't quite catch them.

"This tournament was a good one for our team, to build our confidence against a number of quality golf teams. We beat several fellow District 7 opponents, as well as defeating a number of good Division I programs that can help us down the road. We just need to build off of this success."

The Falcon Invitational was played on the Eisenhower-Blue Course. The Eisenhower-Blue Course measures 7,301 yards and plays to a par of 72.

In two fall tournaments, the Cowboys now have a tournament championship to their credit and a second-place team finish. Wyoming won its own Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate on Sept. 7 in Laramie.

Wyoming's next tournament will be on Sept. 27-28 at the Colorado State Ram Invitational.