Despite having a national-caliber team most years, BYU coach Karl Tucker has always insisted his primary goal each year is to win the Western Athletic Conference golf tournament.
"I have no reservations about saying that," Tucker said on the eve of his final WAC tournament this week in San Diego. "I've always thought we can maintain the prestige of the school by winning the WAC."Tucker, who will retire at the end of the season, has a nationally-ranked team again (11th) and his Cougars will be one of the teams to beat at the 30th annual WAC tourney Thursday through Saturday at the Singing Hills Country Club. Two rounds will be played at the Willow Glen Course (6,247 yards) and one round at the Oak Glen Course (6,132).
The Cougars, who will be looking for their 19th WAC title, are one of the favorites along with New Mexico and host San Diego State. Last weekend in a WAC preview of sorts, those three schools battled at the Cougar Classic with BYU coming out on top, followed by the Aztecs and the Lobos.
"I think New Mexico is our biggest hurdle, but San Diego State has a good team as it proved last week," said Tucker. "But if we play well, we can win it."
The Cougars have a senior-dominated squad led by lefty Mike Weir, who has won two tournaments this year. Others on the five-man Cougar contingent are Dean Wilson, last year's WAC medalist, Ramon Brobio, last week's Cougar Classic champion, Orem's Ryan Rhees and Brad Sutterfield, a sophomore from Sandy.
New Mexico, which hosts the NCAA golf championships June 3-6, is led by Tim Herron and Brian Kortan while San Diego counts on Tim Todd and Dave Schnider.
Utah may not contend for the championship, but has a plenty of motivation. The Utes are battling for a berth in the NCAA West Regional tournament to be held in late May. If they finish ahead of UTEP, Hawaii and Wyoming, they should grab one of the five spots from the region.
Ron Branca's Utes are led by Greg Slack, Phil Holmes and senior Marty Romney.
Air Force and Colorado State will field teams, but likely bring up the rear this week.