Ruidoso, NM -- Mustang younglings James Temple (Malahide, IRL/Malahide Community School) and UNM transfer Bowen Davis (Albuquerque, NM/Home-schooled/UNM) led the men's golf team in its 2019 season opener in Ruidoso on Monday. The talented sophomores tied for 9th place, firing 9-under par for 54 holes around the par 72 Links at Sierra Blanca in the talent ladened High Country Shootout. Western entered only individuals in the field and didn't compete as a team.

UNM transfer Bowen Davis (Albuquerque, NM/Home-schooled/UNM) took advantage of his new surroundings as he traded his Lobo Cherry and Silver for Purple and Gold this season and fired rounds of 72-68-67 (-9) in his first start for Mustangs in the 71-player field. 

Meanwhile, Temple, who won the prestigious Cactus Thaw last year as a freshman, was under par in all three rounds, going 70-68-69 (-9) in the event. The talented sophomore recorded a remarkable 4 eagles in the tournament, taking advantage of his incredible power and accuracy. 

Juniors Sam Ruston (Birmingham, ENG/Chase Terrace Technology) and Harry O'Callaghan (Leeds, ENG/Priesthorpe HS) tied for 16th place in the Shootout. O'Callaghan took the consistent round by recording three under-par rounds (71-71-67), while Ruston, the Lone Star Freshman of the Year in 2018, only heated up in the last round firing 65 after going 70 and 74 in rounds one and two.  

Other WNMU scores include T27-Pedro De La Vega (Toluca, MEX/Colegio Argos), 68-75-70-- 213; T39-Kailer Rundiks (Denver, CO/East HS), 69-73-76--218; T47-Gonzalo Pan De Soraluce (Madrid, ES/Greg Norman Academy), 74-72-75--221 and T50-John Gallegos (Rio Rancho, NM/V, Sue Cleveland HS), 72-75-75--222. 

The Mustangs travel to Albuquerque Sunday to defend their tournament Championship in the RJGA South Central Fall Regional Preview at the UNM Championship Course. Sam Ruston (Birmingham, ENG/Chase Terrace Technology) will defend his individual championship as well.