Iowa Men's Golf: Brant Finishes Day 1 of All-America Classic

By University of Iowa Athletic Communications

EL PASO, Texas – University of Iowa senior Chris Brant is tied for 20th place after the first day of competition at the 2011 Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic. Brant was one of 27 NCAA Division I men’s golfers to be invited to the event, held at the El Paso Country Club.

Brant recorded a 36-hole score of +5 (147) in the first day of play. In his first round, Brant shot even par on the front nine, with a bogey on six and a birdie at seven. Bogeys on 10, 15 and 18 led to a +3 (74) opening round total.

Brant fired a one-under 35 on the front nine in his second round, highlighted by birdies on four and nine. He bounced back from a tough double-bogey on 14 with another birdie on 15. Brant finished with a double-bogey on 18 to shoot a +2 (73).

Brant’s two-round score topped three players inside the top 70 golfstat.com rankings, including one top 10 player.

Brant is the first Hawkeye men’s golfer to compete in the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.

The field includes seven of the top 11 amateur golfers in the world, according to the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings. Throughout the years, many Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic competitors have gone on to successful professional careers. Some of the past champions include Webb Simpson (2007), Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), and Tiger Woods (1995). Alumni of the Golf Classic have gone on to earn more than $1.4 billion and won 561 events on the PGA TOUR.

Each university represented in the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The final round of the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic will be played Tuesday, with the field playing 18 holes.