UNLV golfer is baptised into professional golf

Jeremy Anderson was one of the nation's top college golfers at UNLV for the past three years. But this isn't college any more.

Anderson received his baptism into professional golf Tuesday during the first round of the Professional Golfers Association first stage qualifying event at Dayton Valley Golf Course. Anderson's first experience in a PGA qualifying event went well as he shot a 4-under-par 68.

The former UNLV standout was tied for seventh place after the first round. The four-round event continues today through Friday.

Brandt Hazen of Tucson, Ariz., Calgara, Canada's Wes Martin and Bobby Elliott of Plano, Texas were all tied for the lead after shooting a 6-under 66 in the first round. But as Anderson put it, there's no advantage to winning this week's tournament.

The top 23 golfers out of 76 will advance to the PGA's stage two of qualifying at six sites across the country. "It's just about surving now and moving onto the next stage," Anderson said.

Anderson said the scores were about what he expected. "I'll take 13 more 68s," said Anderson about the next 13 rounds it will take to qualifying for the PGA tour.

But Anderson isn't looking ahead. "I'll worry about the first tee shot tomorrow," Anderson said Tuesday.

Anderson was a second-team All-American for UNLV's 1998 national title team and was a first-team All-American the past two years.

But Anderson realizes what his status is now. "I went from the top of the class in college to the lowest on the food chain," he said.

His goal is to qualify for the PGA tour this year. "This is my first crack and hopefully my only attempt at Q school," Anderson said. "Hopefully I'll get it out of the way and never come back."

During his first round, Anderson hit 17 of 18 greens and had the equivalent of not missing a green since he hit the Par 5 No. 3 hole green in two. He ended up with a birdie on the hole.

Anderson had four birdies and no bogeys. The conditions for Sunday's practice round were tough with 40-degree weather and 35 mile per hour winds.

But having to practice in harsh conditions was helpful, Anderson said. "You're not surprised by anything," he said. "The course seemed a lot harder."

The conditions Tuesday were perfect. "You couldn't ask for better scoring conditions," Anderson said.

Thirty-nine golfers shot par or better in the ideal conditions. Performances for local players included a 3-under 69 for former University of Nevada golfer Justin Peters of Coral Springs, Fla. and a 72 for his former Wolf Pack teammate, James Watt of Lodi, Calif. Sierra Sage assistant professional Bob Leist, Jr. of Reno fired a 75.

Anderson said the course was still challenging off the tee and especially on the greens, which he described as slick and firm.

About some eight-foot putts he had, Anderson said, "The last thing on my mind was try to make it. I could have putted a little better.

"I can't say I really putted poorly. I had a lot of good putts. It was a good, solid start. Just what I was looking for."

Anderson said he talked to some of his former teammates, who said the Dayton course was suited to his game.

"It's good to do some research," he said. "You need all the help you can get. It's a very good golf course. It really challenges you on the greens."