2008-09 Mountain West Conference Men's Golf Awards Announced at Conclusion of Championship

May 2, 2009

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Mountain West Conference announced its 2008-09 Men's Golf All-Conference team and individual awards at the conclusion of its championship today at the OMNI Tucson National Golf Course. New Mexico senior Steve Saunders was selected as MWC Golfer of the Year, while Zahkai Brown of Colorado State was named freshman of the year. Coach of the year honors went to Bill Montigel of TCU.

Coming into the 2009 MWC Men's Golf Championship, Saunders ranked 90th nationally, according to the most recent GolfStat rankings. He currently boasts a 72.09 stroke average and has recorded eight top-10 finishes this season, including two individual titles. Saunders is the third golfer from New Mexico to garner the MWC's top award and first since 2006-07 when Charlie Beljan captured the award.

Brown garners freshman of the year honors after posting a 71.48 stroke average thus far in 2008-09. He has five top-10 finishes on the year and is the first Colorado State golfer to capture MWC Freshman of the Year accolades in the 10-year history of the league.

Monitgel captures MWC Coach of the Year honors for the first time since TCU joined the league in 2005.

Golfer of the Year
Steve Saunders, Sr., New Mexico

Freshman of the Year
Zahkai Brown, Colorado State

Coach of the Year
Bill Montigel, TCU

All-Conference Team
Tom Whitney, Jr., Air Force
Brady Johnson, Jr., BYU
Steve Saunders, Sr., New Mexico
Zen Brown, Sr., Colorado State
Dustin Morris, Jr., Colorado State
Johan Carlsson, So., San Diego State
Derek Ernst, Fr., UNLV
Eddie Olson, Jr., UNLV
Johan de Beer, Fr., TCU
James Sacheck, Sr., TCU