Colorado Springs, Colo. – It was a round for former university golf coaches. On a day when former University of Maryland golf coach Fred Funk stayed near the top of the leaderboard, Keith Fergus (formerly of the University of Houston) put in his own bid for low honors.

Fergus shot a 4-under 66 at The Broadmoor East Course Saturday, his lowest score of the week, to move into the top 10. He’s in position to post his best finish of the season.

He won his first Champions Tour event last year, but so far in 2008 his best finish has been a solo sixth in the Bank of American Championship. The 66 tied his low score of the year.

"I’ve always been a pretty good ball striker and I like to play in the wind and play tough courses in tough conditions," said Fergus.

Fergus, who served as the head golf coach at his alma mater from 1988-1994, has lowered his score every day this week. He opened with a 3-over 73, dropped to 1-over 71 Friday before turning in a red number in the third round.

In his five-year career on the senior circuit, he only has three top-10 performances in 14 attempts.

While coaching at the University of Houston, his tenure briefly overlapped Funk’s time at Maryland from 1982-88. They never competed against each other as coaches.

Fergus said he was motivated to return to playing after watching top college players compete every week.

"I knew I could still play and watching those guys made me feel like I was missing something," said Fergus.

Art Stricklin is a freelance writer whose work has previously appeared on www.ussenioropen.com.