OPELIKA, Ala. (May 31) -- The 10th-ranked University of Arizona men's golf team opened the 2000 NCAA Men's Golf Championship on May 31 by shooting a 2-under-par 286 and is tied for fifth place, 14 shots behind first-place Texas. The Longhorns, who carded a 16-under par 272, lead the four-day, 72 hole event, which is being held at the Grand National Golf Club (Par-72, 6,961 yards).

Only eight shots separate the second through 10th place teams. Georgia Tech is second at 280, and Oklahoma State is third at 281, followed by Houston in fourth at 284. Arizona is tied with New Mexico, East Tennessee State and UNLV for the fifth spot (286). Northwestern is ninth (287), while Mississippi State, Kent State and North Carolina are tied for 10th place (288).

Individually, Texas' David Gossett shot a 9-under-par 63 and stands in first place followed by teammate J.J. Wall who shot a 7-under-par 65. Gossett tied Grand National's lake course record with a 63. Arizona's Ricky Barnes and Reid Hatley are in a 12-way tie for 13th after each opened with 2-under-par 70s today. The UA's Derek Gillespie is in a 17-way tie for 40th place after shooting an even-par 72.

The second round will get underway tomorrow morning, and Arizona's tee times will begin at 8:15 a.m. from the first tee. The top-four scores in each round count towards the team's total. Following Thursday's second round, the field will be cut to the top-15 teams and nine individuals for the final two rounds. The 2000 NCAA team and individual champions will be crowned Saturday afternoon.

        Arizona Individuals                             Top-Five Teams
T13.    Ricky Barnes            70 (-2)         1.      Texas                   272 (-16)
T13.    Reid Hatley             70 (-2)         2.      Georgia Tech            280 (-8)
T40.    Derek Gillespie         72 (0)          3.      Oklahoma State          281 (-7)
T75.    Cody Beyer              74 (+2)         4.      Houston                 284 (-4)
T132.   Scott Moore             77 (+5)         T5.     Arizona                 286 (-2)
                                                T5.     New Mexico              286 (-2)
                                                T5.     East Tennessee State    286 (-2)
                                                T5.     UNLV                    286 (-2)