Columnist Victoria Sun: Bonanza grad Piercy has a day to remember at Red Rock CC

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, March 28, 2001 | 9:22 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria @lasvegassun.com

San Diego State senior Scott Piercy set a new course record at Red Rock Country Club recently by firing a 10-under-par 62.

For Piercy, a Bonanza High graduate, it was his lowest round ever.

"I just made a lot of putts," he said. "I guess the 'zone' is a very good word for it. I hit it close and made a few good putts."

When asked if he was a long driver, he humbly replied, "I was hitting it far that day, anyway."

The Las Vegan had two eagles, seven birdies and a bogey on what turned out to be unlucky No. 13 for the day.

It was his first time at Red Rock, and his feat was witnessed by his dad, Ralph, and two of his father's clients.

"I just kept going and getting lower and lower, it just ended up being 10," Piercy said. "I was 9 under after 12 holes, bogeyed 13, birdied 14 and birdied 18 to get to 10."

Was he ever thinking 59?

"I was thinking 58," he admitted. "I was birdieing left and right. It was going good.

"It very well could have been 60 with a bogey. I missed an eight-footer on 15 and a six-footer on 17 for birdies. It was quite a day."

Piercy was the medalist at two collegiate events last season and was named to the Mountain West All-Conference team.

This season, his best finish is a third at the Pacific Invitational in Stockton, Calif., in the fall.

As a team, the Aztecs finished first at the Oregon Invitational that concluded on Tuesday. Piercy, playing in his first tournament since November, struggled and finished in a tie for 30th.

"I didn't play very good," he said. "It rained the whole time there.

"I was struggling during summer while I was changing my swing and working on my game. Until about three weeks ago when I shot the 62, I had been having a hard time. But usually when I struggle I come back better, then struggle (again, and then) get better."

He hopes the 62 may be the start of another fine run.

Last Thursday he shot a 63 at the Mount Woodson Golf Club during a practice round at San Diego.

"Even though my score didn't show it, I'm playing a lot better now," Piercy said. "I feel very positive."

The tournament will begin with a pro-am the first two days with the professional field starting April 20. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by calling 242-3000.

Volunteers for this assignment must be able to work all five days of the tournament. Call 242-3008 for more information.

A drawing will be held with a grand prize of a round for a foursome at one of Las Vegas' top courses and a suite at the Hard Rock hotel-casino for seven nights. Second prize is a spot in the pro-am of the Senior Classic which includes invitations to pro-am parties and tournament gifts. A drawing will be held on April 11 to determine the winner of the pro-am prize and if 3,000 entries have not been received by then, another drawing will follow. Call 990-2585 to enter or for more information.