Par-3s doom the SDSU men’s team at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational

Zach Perry

Zach Perry

The SDSU men’s golf team finished 11th in the Stevinson Ranch Invitational on April 6 to 7 in Stevinson, Calif. The event was hosted by the University of Colorado at the Stevinson Ranch Golf Club – a 7,142 yard, par-72 course.

The Jackrabbits shot a three-round total of 899 (306-294-299) and finished 30 strokes behind the winner Nevada. Given their strong performances this season, an 11th place finish was a bit disappointing, their coach said.

“We are still trying to shake off the remaining cobwebs form the winter,” head coach Jared Baszler said. “We were fourth in the field in par-5 scoring for the tournament but dead last in par-3 scoring. We made a lot of big numbers on the par-3s, which was the biggest factor of our demise.”

SDSU was led by Trent Peterson who turned in another solid performance and ended the tournament tied for 13th in the individual competition with a 220 (74-70-76). Baszler will be looking for big things from Peterson down the stretch.

“Trent is a very steady and consistent player for us like he always has been,” Baszler said. “I expect him to lead our team into the last two regular season tournaments of our year and his career.”

Geoff Mead tied for 31st at 224 (76-73-75), and Tim Kalil ended the tournament tied for 39th, just two strokes behind Mead at 226 (78-75-73).

Justin Jenkins improved each round to finish 54th at 229 (78-76-75), while Kyle Vandevoort finished in a tie for 70th at 233 (81-76-76).

The individual competition was won by Patrick Grady of the University of Colorado with an 8-under par 208 (69-68-71). Grady finished just one stroke better than the second-place finisher Ryan Hallisey of the University of Nevada. Hallisey shot a 209 (71-69-69) to pace the Wolf Pack – winners of the team competition.

The top five in the individual competition was rounded out by Derek Tolan of the University of Colorado at 214 (72-72-70); Robert Karlsson of Liberty University at 215 (75-69-71); and Grant Norton (Sacramento State), Thomas Robertson (Portland) and Trent Sanders (Washington State), who tied for fifth at 216 each.

The team competition was won by the University of Nevada with a team score of 869 (292-288-289).

The University of Colorado finished nine strokes behind at 878 (292-287-299) to take second place.

Rounding out the top five were Washington State (296-284-299 – 879), Loyola Marymount (289-295-296 – 880) and San Francisco (298-303-288 – 889).

The Jackrabbits returned to action on April 20 to 21 in the Beu/Mussatto Invitational in Macomb, Ill., placing first. The Jacks will travel to Kansas City, Mo., for the Summit League Championships on April 27 to 28.